ShareKUWAIT: Kuwait devotes particular attention to activating role of the National Diwan for Human Rights for defending these basic rights, stipulating this commitment in the Cabinet manifesto, the minister of justice affirmed. Abdulaziz Al-Majed, also Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and State Minister for Nazaha, noted the significance of the diwan, for it is an independent body that advocates human rights and seeks to enhance them at the national level.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the diwan's headquarters, marking International Human Rights Day on Dec 10, the minister revealed that the diwan proposes amendments to legislations and files reports and recommendations to relevant state authorities regarding the human rights status in the country. He stressed on the necessity that the diwan practice its jurisdictions with respect of receiving complaints, monitoring human rights abuses, seeking facts about cases and coordinating with the concerned parties.
The diwan personnel guide protestors how to proceed with legal action and help them in the proceedings and settlements with the relevant authorities, in line with the state's commitment to maintain citizens' human rights and freedoms, Majed affirmed. He cited the Kuwaiti constitution that guarantees people justice, freedom and equality. All the people of Kuwait are equal under the law with respect of rights and public duties - there is no gender, origin, linguistic or religious indiscrimination and the Kuwait constitution guarantees much of the rights and freedoms, provided their practice does not breach public order and decency.
The minister of justice affirmed Kuwait's adherence to international pledges at this level, noting that Kuwait had joined international human rights treaties. Kuwait at the time of joining the international conventions had expressed reservations on issues that contradict its social values and this had been clear in the explanatory declarations that guaranteed Kuwait's implementation of its legislations. Kuwait's deterrent penalties such as execution do not contradict its adherence to international conventions, in line with the universal declaration of civil and political rights that allowed execution for most dangerous crimes.
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on Dec 10. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950, after the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V) inviting all states and interested organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day. - KUNA
