Kuwait - Latest Press Releases

Kuwait: DNA Collection Law to be Amended to Limit its Scope to Criminal Suspects Only

KWT - News | 20 October 2016

On 19 October 2016, the Speaker of Kuwait's National Assembly, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, disclosed information according to which the Emir of Kuwait agreed to put Law No. 78/2015 on compulsory DNA collection, in line with the Kuwaiti Constitution in order to respect the right to privacy. The Emir requested the Parliament to reconsider the scope of the law with the view of imposing compulsory DNA collection to criminal suspects only, instead of all Kuwaiti citizens and residents as it was initially envisioned. Alkarama welcomes the decision of the Emir, which reflects the recommendations made in its report to the Human Rights Committee (HRCtee) during the third periodic review of the situation of human rights in Kuwait, held on 15 July 2016.

Kuwait: UN Committee Against Torture Issues its Conclusion After Country’s Review

KWT - News | 17 August 2016

On 12 August 2016, the Committee against Torture (CAT) published its concluding observations on the third periodic review of Kuwait held during its 58thsession from 25 July to 12 August. The Committee's experts assessed the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), ratified by Kuwait in 1996, on the basis of information provided by both NGOs, including Alkarama's report, as well as the State party in its national report.

Kuwait: Human Rights Committee Issues its Concluding Observations on the Situation of Civil and Political Rights in the Country

KWT - News | 19 July 2016

After reviewing Kuwait's third periodic report on 21 and 22 June 2016, on 15 July 2016, the Human Rights Committee (HRCtee)published its Concluding Observations on the human rights situation in the country and the State party's implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR). The Committee's recommendations thoroughly reflect Alkarama's points of concern which it shared with the Committee's experts at the NGO briefing and which it highlighted in its shadow report presented to the Committee before the review.

Kuwait: Alkarama Submits Shadow Report to the UN Committee Against Torture Ahead of the Country's Review

KWT - News | 18 July 2016

In view of Kuwait's third periodic review, on 4 July 2016, Alkarama submitted its shadow report to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) analysing the legal framework for the prohibition of torture and its practice in Kuwait. During its 58thsession which will take place between 25 July and 12 August, the Committee's experts will assess* the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT), ratified by Kuwait in 1996, on the basis of information provided by both NGOs, including Alkarama, as well as the State party in its national report.

Kuwait: Alkarama Submits Shadow Report to Human Rights Committee Ahead of the Country’s Review

KWT - News | 06 June 2016

On 27 May 2016, Alkarama submitted its shadow report to the UN Human Rights Committee (HRCtee) on the situation of civil and political rights in view of Kuwait's third periodic review which will take place on 21 and 22 June 2016. During the session, the Committee's experts will assess the implementation of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified in 1996, on the basis of information from NGOs, including Alkarama, and from the State provided in its national report.

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Kuwait - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

ICCPR: Accessed on 21.05.1996
Optional Protocol: No

State report: Due 02.11.2014 (3rd)
Last concluding observations: 22.12.2011

Convention against Torture (CAT)

CAT: Accessed on 08.03.1996
Optional Protocol: No
Art. 20 (Confidential inquiry): No
Art. 22 (Individual communications): No

Next State report: Due on 03.06.2015 (3rd)
Last concluding observations: 28.06.2011

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

No

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 05.2010 (1st cycle)
Next review: 2015 (2nd cycle)

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

No