Kuwait actively involves local communities in assessing United Nations proposals regarding human rights matters.
Fresh Take:
Hey there! Let's chat about the significant role Kuwait's civil society plays in shaping the nation's response to human rights issues, as highlighted by Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al-Duaij.!
In a chat with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Sheikha Jawaher stressed the importance of consultation with civil society organizations to maintain a balanced and inclusive approach to human rights development.!
Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Human Rights Department organized a gathering with multiple civil society institutions. The discussion centered around the 290 recommendations Kuwait received from 115 countries under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council.!
Sheikha Jawaher underlined that this joint collaboration underscores Kuwait's commitment to open dialogue, where civil society organizations are integral in representing the assorted segments of society and driving national development.!
The key focus areas of these recommendations cover constrict issues like women's rights, child protection, and the integration of persons with disabilities, along with workers' rights, freedom of expression, and joining international agreements not yet ratified by Kuwait. The adoption of each recommendation will be evaluated based on its compatibility with the Kuwaiti Constitution, Islamic Sharia, and national customs and traditions.!
The ensuing report is set to be presented during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in September. The objective of this process, as she explains, is to ensure transparency and national ownership over the recommendations Kuwait elects to adopt or dismiss.!
Other participants also reiterated the significance of this initiative. Dr. Jassim Al-Kandari, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs, stated that these efforts epitomize Kuwait's ongoing dedication to its voluntary international obligations. Meanwhile, civil society leaders, including Khaled Al-Jadaan and Dr. Balqis Al-Najjar, reaffirmed the importance of community input in aligning international human rights standards with Kuwait's legal and cultural framework.!
This collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and the National Bureau for Human Rights marks a participatory methodology, allowing a broad array of viewpoints to guide the drafting of responses and the execution of recommendations to advance human rights—all while respecting national legislation and international obligations.!
[1] Source: Enrichment Data - Kuwait’s approach to involving civil society in shaping its response to human rights recommendations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism is based on a participatory methodology that engages multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the National Bureau for Human Rights. This inclusive process allows for a broad spectrum of perspectives to be considered when drafting responses and implementing recommendations. The Kuwaiti government has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and openness by engaging in dialogue sessions with international treaty committees and responding to requests from relevant mandate holders and special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Civil society plays a critical role not only in providing inputs and feedback during the preparation of the UPR report but also in ongoing monitoring and advocacy for the implementation of accepted recommendations.
- The policy-and-legislation aspect of this participatory approach is apparent in the Kuwaiti government's commitment to evaluate the adoption of each Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendation based on its compatibility with the Kuwaiti Constitution, Islamic Sharia, and national customs and traditions.
- The ongoing politics of human rights in Kuwait is underscored by the significant role played by civil society organizations, as demonstrated by their integral part in the collaborative process to respond to UPR recommendations, aligning international human rights standards with Kuwait's legal and cultural framework.
