ShareNEW YORK: Kuwait reiterated its keenness to promote and protect human rights through the inclusion in the constitution of many articles and texts that comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, along with the relevant international charters and agreements. This was in Kuwait's statement delivered Thursday by the Diplomatic Attache Rashed Al-Abhoul before the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee during the discussion of the item on promoting and protecting human rights.
Kuwait worked nonstop to adopt many legislations, laws and measures that reflect its respect for its international obligations in human rights, in addition to establishing national mechanisms that contribute to the implementation of those legislation and laws, Abhoul said. He referred to the establishment of the Permanent National Committee for preparing reports and follow-up recommendations on human rights in December 2019, in addition to holding consultative meetings with civil society organizations concerned with human rights before submitting their reports to contractual committees.
Additionally, Kuwait continued its unremitting efforts in that field, establishing the National Bureau for Human Rights in compliance with the UNGA resolution 48/134 regarding national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, he stated. It is crucial for Kuwait to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by integrating these goals into the country's development plans in line with Kuwait Vision 2035, which includes supporting people's rights with special needs and ensuring basic public services to them, he explained.
Abhoul pointed to the strategy of the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities, which includes four main areas, namely education, employment, healthcare, and recreational community activities, aiming to remove obstacles to the inclusion of people with disabilities in various sectors. Kuwaiti women established themselves as an indispensable pillar in building society, as Kuwait seeks to eliminate any stereotypical concept that suggests discrimination against them, he pointed out.
After Kuwaiti women gained their political rights to vote and run for office in 2005, they established themselves as an active element in society that contributes to political decision[1]making through holding many leadership positions in successive governments, Abhoul added. Kuwait ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime under law no. 5 of 2006, he indicated.
In response to its international obligations, Kuwait issued law no. 91 of 2013 in the matter of combating trafficking and smuggling of migrants, Abhoul stated. In an effort to explain the file of missing people in armed conflicts, Kuwait submitted, during its membership in the Security Council during 2018-19, a draft resolution 2474 regarding those missing, he mentioned. Accordingly, there are still over 300 people missing for more than 30 years, their fate unknown, he pointed out. Kuwait's efforts focus on respecting the rule of law, respecting the sovereignty of states, and working to achieve the goals and principles of the UN Charter, he concluded. - KUNA
