Kuwait's Human Rights Standing Spotlighted in UPR Fourth Cycle
Kuwait restates robust dedication to human rights during the upcoming United Nations evaluation.
In the May 2025 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the United Nations Human Rights Council, Kuwait's human rights record was under the microscope. Here are the major points addressed in the country's comprehensive report:
Making Key Strides
- Sheltering the Abused: A new law on combating domestic violence has been implemented, complete with shelters and hotlines for victims in need.[5]
- Redefining Torture: The crime of torture has been reshaped under the guideline of the Committee against Torture.[5]
- Aligning the Nationality Law: Reforms have been made to ensure that the Nationality Law supports civil, economic, and social rights.[5]
- Promoting Gender Equality: The repealing of Article 153 marks a move towards gender equality by eliminating lenient sentences for crimes of honor.[5]
- Raising the Marriage Age: The legal age of marriage has been bumped up to 18 years old.[5]
- Ending the Article 182 Exemption: Perpetrators of kidnapping will no longer receive immunity if they marry their victims.[5]
Persistent Issues and Challenges
- Suppression of Journalists: Despite the advancements, there is a growing concern about a crackdown on journalists, bloggers, and freedom of the press in Kuwait.[3]
- The Plight of the Bedoon Community: Ongoing repression towards the stateless Bedoon community remains an issue.[3]
- Stifling Civil Rights: The report notes that there are increasing limitations placed on the rights to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly.[3]
- Targeting of Critics: There have been reports of harassment and attacks directed at journalists, human rights activists, and former parliament members.[3]
Global Reaction
- UNHRC Approval: The United Nations Human Rights Council endorsed Kuwait's fourth national report unanimously, showing support for Kuwait's efforts to bolster its human rights framework.[5]
- Examining Recommendations: The Kuwaiti delegation pledged to evaluate the 290 recommendations provided by various United Nations Human Rights Council members, focusing on the strengthening of human rights mechanisms.[5]
- The periodic presenting of Kuwait's policy-and-legislation regarding human rights received attention during the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
- In the domain of general news, concerns about the suppression of journalists, bloggers, and the freedom of the press in Kuwait persist despite the country's advancements in other areas.
- Kuwait's report on human rights showed legitimacy in areas such as combating domestic violence, redefining torture, aligning the Nationality Law, promoting gender equality, raising the marriage age, and ending the Article 182 Exemption.
- Gathering support from the United Nations Human Rights Council for bolstering its human rights framework, Kuwait pledged to present periodic reports, evaluating the recommendations received during the UPR fourth cycle with a focus on strengthening human rights mechanisms.
