Kuwait will not compromise on human rights
KUWAIT CITY, May 15: 'Human rights in Kuwait are protected under the Constitution and existing laws. New legislation is being developed to ensure that Kuwait remains a pioneer, as it has long been,' said Minister of Justice Nasser Al- Sumait in an exclusive interview. He expressed his satisfaction with the unanimous approval of Kuwait's national report during the recent session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, which was attended by representatives from approximately 115 member states.
Minister Al-Sumait said, 'The unanimous approval of Kuwait's fourth national report reflects the extent of progress made recently, especially within the short tenure of the current government, regarding important issues included in the report, particularly those concerning citizenship, and civil and human rights, which Kuwait will never compromise. Kuwait succeeded in fulfilling the Human Rights Council's recommendations ahead of the final session.
The country is currently working to develop legislation related to other recommendations, in line with the directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who always emphasizes the importance of ensuring that everyone enjoys their rights without discrimination. Kuwait has taken note of the Human Rights Council's observations regarding freedom of opinion and expression. It is well known that media and expression freedoms are fully guaranteed in Kuwait under existing laws. However, there are red lines that cannot be crossed, such as harming individuals' reputations or offending His Highness the Amir.
Kuwait does not allow anything that contradicts Islamic law or is otherwise prohibited by law. Aside from these exceptions, freedom of opinion and expression is protected in Kuwait, and is based on firm and longstanding foundations that date back centuries, not merely decades. Work is currently underway to amend some outdated laws, particularly those related to financial issues, most notably, the penalties for issuing bounced checks. There is an ongoing effort to either repeal or amend the relevant article to protect the human rights of individuals involved, including abolishing criminalization and imprisonment, as these are seen as restrictions on personal freedom.
The report also includes guarantees that the civil rights and freedom of work for individuals whose citizenship has been revoked will not be affected. Measures are being taken in this regard under the directives of the supreme leadership. His Highness the Amir is keen about ensuring that no one is subjected to injustice. This matter is being closely and directly followed by His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Prime Minister. Kuwait has recently seen the emergence of new types of crimes that were not seen previously, and these require firm and effective legislation. For this reason, we are working with the relevant institutions to draft practical laws that reflect current realities as well as uphold human rights.'
Regarding the Human Rights Council's recommendation to abolish the sponsorship (kafala) system, Minister Al-Sumait said, 'Serious steps are being taken in that direction. These efforts aim to preserve national sovereignty, as well as ensure workers enjoy their full rights, and to support the development of commercial, industrial, and service sectors.' Minister Al-Sumait affirmed that positive steps have already been taken in response to the Human Rights Council's recommendation to strengthen legislation for combating domestic violence and to intensify efforts against intolerance, prejudice, and discrimination, particularly toward foreigners. He added that a great deal of work is ongoing to meet the objectives of these recommendations. Minister Nasser Al-Sumait concluded by stressing that, 'We are working tirelessly to position Kuwait as a leader in the field of human rights. This mission requires great effort, and we are racing against time to meet the high standards and goals set by His Highness the Amir for the government upon taking the Constitutional oath.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
4 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait moves to align tax, investment policies with Qatar, Saudi Arabia
KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance signed two separate agreements on Sunday with its counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The agreements aim to support regional financial cooperation and enhance economic integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Noura Al-Fassam, affirmed in a press statement following the signings that the ministry is committed to strengthening economic collaboration within the GCC and providing all necessary means to achieve deeper economic integration among member states. Minister Al-Fassam represented Kuwait in the signing ceremonies. Representing Saudi Arabia was Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan. The agreement with Saudi Arabia focuses on coordination on financial issues at both regional and international levels, and includes areas such as the development of financial policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks to serve mutual interests. The Qatari side was represented by Minister of Finance Ali Al-Kuwari. The agreement with Qatar addresses the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion. It also aims to facilitate investments, enhance capital flows, and align tax policies between the two countries. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for tax exemptions and reductions on profits and interest, offers preferential treatment for government investment entities, and outlines mechanisms for the mutual settlement of future tax disputes between the two brotherly nations. — KUNA
Arab Times
17 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait ramps up campaign for responsible energy use
KUWAIT CITY, June 1: The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy launched the third edition of the National Energy Saving Campaign (Waffer) on Sunday to promote awareness of electricity and water conservation, aimed at protecting resources, reducing waste, and ensuring environmental and economic sustainability. At a press conference held at the Government Communication Center, Undersecretary and Chairman of the Electricity and Water Consumption Rationalization Committee, Dr. Adel Al-Zamel, said the campaign focuses on encouraging a culture of responsible energy use. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with national policy goals and has broad government support. Al-Zamel highlighted the increasing rates of electricity and water consumption in Kuwait, which he said have led to growing environmental and economic pressures. He urged government bodies, institutions, and individuals to reassess their consumption habits and support efforts to reduce waste. He added that the campaign is a shared national responsibility and a call to adopt rational use as a value, moderation as a strength, and cooperation as a pathway to sustainability. Al-Zamel noted that Kuwait's per capita energy consumption remains high compared to other countries, calling for increased media efforts to promote responsible water use. He expressed confidence in the campaign's success through collective participation and commended government agencies for their efforts to reduce energy use in public buildings. Engineers Khadija Bushehri and Mohammed Al-Hattab, leaders of the Ministry's awareness team, presented a media campaign designed to encourage responsible energy behavior and engage both public and private sectors in conservation efforts. They said the campaign also promotes energy-efficient products and practices. A children's awareness video featuring cartoon characters "Kahroob" and "Qatura" was also shown to introduce energy-saving concepts at an early age. The Ministry invited the public to visit the Waffer pavilion at Avenues Mall (Phase 2) to learn more about energy waste and methods of efficient consumption.
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
US flag raised in Damascus, $7 billion power deal inked
DAMASCUS: The United States' newly-appointed Syria envoy said he believed peace between Syria and the Zionist entity was achievable as he made his first trip to Damascus on Thursday, praising the Islamist-led government and saying it was ready for dialogue. Thomas Barrack raised the American flag over the ambassador's residence for the first time since the US embassy closed in 2012, underlining a rapid expansion of US ties with Damascus since President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced the lifting of sanctions and met Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa. 'Syria and (the Zionist entity) is a solvable problem. But it starts with a dialogue,' Barrack told a small group of journalists in Damascus. 'I'd say we need to start with just a non-aggression agreement, talk about boundaries and borders,' he said. Barrack also said that Syria would no longer be deemed a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States, saying the issue was 'gone with the Assad regime being finished' but that Congress had a six-month review period. 'America's intent and the president's vision is that we have to give this young government a chance by not interfering, not demanding, by not giving conditions, by not imposing our culture on your culture,' Barrack said. Interim President Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda commander, is rapidly reorienting a country that had turbulent ties with the West and close relations to Iran and Russia during more than five decades of rule by the Assad family. Syria signed a $7 billion energy deal on Thursday with a consortium of Qatari, US and Turkish companies as it seeks to rehabilitate its war-ravaged electricity sector. The agreement, signed in the presence of interim Sharaa and Barrack, is expected to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity and cover half of the country's needs. The agreement involves building four combined-cycle gas turbine power plants with a total capacity of 4,000 megawatts, plus a 1,000-MW solar power plant in southern Syria. Syria has long been a frontline state in the Arab-Zionist conflict, with the Zionist entity occupying the Syrian Golan Heights since a war in 1967. The Zionist entity seized more Syrian territory in the border zone following Bashar Al-Assad's ouster in December, citing concerns about the jihadist roots of Syria's new rulers. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Zionist and Syrian officials were in direct contact, having held face-to-face meetings aimed at calming tensions and preventing conflict in the border region. Trump urged Sharaa to normalize relations with Israel when they met in Riyadh earlier this month. Barrack, who is also US ambassador to Turkey, was named as Syria's US envoy on May 23. He noted Syria had been under US sanctions since 1979. Some of the toughest were implemented in 2020 under the so-called Caesar act, which Barrack said must be repealed by Congress within a 180-day window. 'I promise you the one person who has less patience with these sanctions than all of you is President Trump,' he said. The US closed its embassy in Damascus in February 2012, nearly a year after protests against Assad devolved into a violent conflict that went on to ravage Syria for more than a decade. Then-ambassador Robert Ford was pulled out of Syria shortly before the embassy closed. Subsequent US envoys for Syria operated from abroad and did not visit Damascus. – Agencies
