ShareKUWAIT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) organized a technical cooperation workshop aimed at enhancing the efficiency of members of the National Standing Committee responsible for preparing Kuwait’s national reports for the upcoming fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled to take place in May 2024. The workshop was held under the initiative of the Ministry’s Human Rights Department, in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national human rights mechanisms and ensure alignment with Kuwait’s international obligations.
The primary objective of the workshop is to build the capacities and raise the awareness of specialized personnel in the field of human rights. It also aims to equip members of the National Standing Committee with the necessary tools to engage effectively with the UPR mechanism, ensure the submission of comprehensive and accurate national reports, and formulate clear and constructive responses to recommendations received during the review process.
This initiative falls within the broader context of Kuwait’s preparations to participate in the UPR, a key United Nations mechanism established to periodically examine the human rights performance of all UN member states. The workshop highlights Kuwait’s commitment to fostering a culture of human rights, promoting transparency, and engaging in constructive dialogue with international bodies. Experts from the OHCHR are participating in the event, offering in-depth presentations on the objectives, stages, and best practices of the UPR process. Topics include how to present national reports effectively and how to respond to recommendations in a manner that reflects Kuwait’s human rights priorities and progress.
This workshop reaffirms Kuwait’s dedication to strengthening cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, including through the Human Rights Technical Assistance Program. It underscores the State’s firm commitment to active and constructive engagement in international human rights mechanisms and to advancing cooperation and knowledge-sharing in this vital domain. The Universal Periodic Review was established following UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251 in 2006, which mandated the Human Rights Council to conduct periodic, objective, and equitable reviews of the human rights records of all member states, based on reliable information and consistent standards. — KUNA
