Workshop on Technical Support for Members of the Standing Committee for Reporting and Follow-up
08 March 2022
Kuwait, March 8th, 2022 The Resident Coordinator’s office in Kuwait and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, participated in a workshop to discuss the commitment of the State of Kuwait to implement its voluntary pledge presented in its third national periodic report within the universal periodic review of 2020, which includes preparing a comprehensive national plan for human right through providing technical support in cooperation with the Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented in the Permanent Committee for Human Rights in writing and reviewing reports.
The State of Kuwait works to promote and protect human rights through its constitution, which includes many articles that comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international charters and conventions, and through Kuwait’s close cooperation with the United Nations Office and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights represented in The Middle East and North Africa Department, as these provide technical support for the implementation of the international set recommendations issued through the periodic review and the concluding observations of the human rights treaty bodies.Kuwait has set several laws and legislations that display the state’s commitments to human rights as well as Its establishment of national mechanisms that contribute to the implementation of those laws and legislations.
The State of Kuwait also established the Permanent National Committee to prepare and review reports on the basis of international set standards related to human rights. The committee will be lead by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the membership of other governmental agencies. The Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Talal AlMutairi, stated that the workshop was designed to enhance the committee’s members on reporting and following-up as well as promoting better implementation of Recently established recommendations regarding human rights. The state of Kuwait has made voluntary pledges to develop a national action plan for the protection and promotion of human rights, this will be a crucial step.
Dr. Tariq Al-Sheikh, representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator, confirmed that this workshop will contribute to enriching the necessary steps for preparing an agreed action plan for human rights and to follow up on recommendations by various entities. This action plan aims to enhance the state of Kuwait's submission of reports to the various committees concerned with human rights at the United Nations. We also thank the efforts of His Excellency Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, the concerned team and the National Committee from various governmental sectors, in achieving this effective step, which will help support and build special capacities in developing a national action plan based on best practices and exchange of knowledge and experience.
Dr. Dhafer Al-Husseini, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed that is pleased to be here today at the Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute to work together towards a national plan to implement the recommendations of the international mechanisms for the members of the Standing Committee for Reporting and Follow-up in Kuwait for the period from 8-10 March 2022. The team also looks forward to more constructive cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in order to promote and protect human rights for all.
The primary aim of this workshop is represented through enhancing the committee member’s capacities in utilizing tools available in promoting and protecting human rights in Kuwait. These include 1) Provide a general understanding of the functions of international human rights mechanisms. 2) Enhance participants’ skills and knowledge regarding the implementation of recommendations issued by the UN 3) Enhance participants’ capacity to develop the national human rights action plan for Kuwait.
Kuwait has taken positive steps in establishing the National Institution for Human Rights - the National Human Rights Office as an independent entity aimed at promoting and protecting human rights and in light of the Constitution and the provisions of international agreements ratified by the State of Kuwait. Kuwait also established a national inter-ministerial mechanism in 2014, this was entrusted with the preparation of reports and follow-up on the implementation of recommendations and observations of international human rights practices.
Additional information
The State of Kuwait has ratified seven of the nine basic human rights treaties and two optional protocols:
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
At the third session of the International Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council on January 29, 2020, the State of Kuwait made the following voluntary pledges:
- Domestic Violence Law
- Establish a national action plan for Human Rights
- Continuing national efforts to achieve sustainable development goals for 2030, especially those related to human rights
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