Human Rights in Kuwait

The Declaration is not legally binding, but is the basis of international human rights law. Two binding UN covenants were formed as a result of the UDHR; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Combined, these three documents are often referred to as the “International Bill of Human Rights”.

Over the years other conventions have been written to expand on and add to this fundament, focusing on a variety of topics such as refugees (1951 and 1967), discrimination of women (‘CEDAW’, 1979) and disabled persons (2008), against torture (1987), protection of migrant workers (1990), and against racial discrimination (1969) to name a few.

Additionally, the International Labour Organization has compiled a large number of conventions specifically related to work force and labour standards, of which 8 are considered ‘fundamental conventions’ and relate to freedom of association (1948, C087), collective bargaining (1949, C098), forced labour (1930, C029 and 1957, C105), minimum age (1973, C138), child labour (1999, C182), equal remuneration (1951, C100), equal opportunity and treatment (C111).

The Geneva Conventions are a revision of previously constructed conventions, adjusted after WWII and specifically focus on treatment of persons in time of war. It consists of four Conventions, and three additional protocols. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) explains that the Conventions “aims at ensuring that, even in the midst of hostilities, the dignity of the human person, universally acknowledged in principle, shall be respected.”

During a series of expert meetings, congregations by Red Cross agencies, and a confluence of government representatives over time, the articles were revised until a draft was represented at The Diplomatic Conference for the Establishment of International Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War in 1949. The Final Act was signed by fifty-nine nations, some of which no longer exist, and has attained more signatories since.

The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (CDHRI) was compiled by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 1990, during the 19th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Cairo, and has 57 signatories. This Declaration holds similar – if not identical – principles as the UDHR, but notably also included articles related to ‘jus in bello’ – acceptable wartime conduct, alike the Geneva Conventions. The CDHRI also addresses equality between women and men, rights of the child, freedom, right to medical care, right to self-determination, amongst others. Most notably is that this 25 Article document clearly lists the Sharia as reference point including for punishment. The CDHRI has been adopted by 45 countries, out of the total 57 members of the OIC.

Conventions Signed By Kuwait

Kuwait signed the Conventions on 2 September 1967, Additional Protocol I (Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts) and Additional Protocol II (Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts) on 17 January 1985. Moreover, Kuwait signed AP I Article 90 on June 21, 2013 and became signatory to the Convention for the Rights of the Child (CRC) on 21 October 1991, as well as the Optional Protocol to the CRC on 26 August 2004.
Kuwait has been member of the OIC since 1969.

Only one of the 8 fundamental ILO conventions has not been ratified by Kuwait, being the convention on equal remuneration (C100).

The Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is based off Article 14 of the UDHR, and recognizes the right of asylum and protection of refugees. It was approved during the General Assembly meeting of December 14, 1950 and came into force on April 22, 1954. However, the original Convention limited its scope to refugees fleeing prior to 1 January 1951. As such, an additional protocol was compiled in 1967, removing these limitations.
Kuwait is not party to the 1951 Convention, nor its Protocol.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women – also called CEDAW, was approved during the General Assembly Session on 18 December, 1979 and entered into force on 3 September 1981. Kuwait acceded to CEDAW on 2 September 1994. Through “accession” a state accepts the offer or the opportunity to become a party to a treaty, which has already negotiated and signed by other states. It has the same legal effect as ratification.

Countries that have ratified or acceded CEDAW are legally bound to put its provisions into practice, and thereby agree to submit national reports on measures taken to comply with its obligations. Such reports are to be compiled at least every four years.

Kuwait made reservations upon its accession, to Article 9 (2), concerning children’s nationality – as it goes against the Kuwaiti Nationality Act stipulating child’s nationality being determined by that of his/her father; Article 16 (1f), stipulating equal rights and responsibilities regarding guardianship, wardship, trusteeship, and adoption of children if this exists in national legislation.

Reason for its reservation is the paragraph’s countering Islamic Sharia. Additionally Kuwait claimed it is not bound by Article 29 (1), discussing dispute between states concerning interpretation or application of the Convention. It is noteworthy that Article 29 (2) specifically allows for such a reservation.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was approved during the General Assembly session on December 13, 2006 and came into force on May 3, 2008. Simultaneously, the Optional Protocol was approved, giving the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) competence to examine individual complaints with regard to alleged violations by States parties to the Protocol. The CRPD is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention.

Kuwait confirmed its accession to the Convention on August 22, 2013, making reservations to Article 18 (1a), granting persons with disabilities the right to acquire and change nationality; and Article 23 (2), ensuring the rights and responsibilities of such persons regarding guardianship, wardship, trusteeship, and adoption.

Additionally, it pronounced interpretative declarations on Article 12 (2) stating legal capacity given is subject to Kuwaiti law; Article 19 (a), granting the opportunity of choice of domicile and with who they live – expressing this not being able to be interpreted to permit extra-marital relations. This same was stated pertaining to Article 25 (a), granting affordable healthcare including in the area of sexual and reproductive health. Kuwait is not party to the Optional Protocol.

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, also referred to as just the Convention against Torture, was adopted during the General Assembly session on December 10, 1984. On June 26, 1987 it was registered and thereby came into force. Its implementation is monitored by the Committee Against Torture (CAT), composed of ten individuals of various nationalities.

All signatory states are obliged to send regular reports to the CAT, based on which recommendations are made. Kuwait confirmed its accession to the Convention on March 8, 1996 with reservations to Article 20, relating to the competences of the Committee; and Article 30, paragraph 1 referring to disputes between States related to interpretation or application of the Convention. Both such reservations are allowed for as per Articles 28 and 30-2 of the convention.

The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families was approved by the General Assembly on December 18, 1990 and entered into force on July 1, 2003. Kuwait is not party to the Convention.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was approved by the General Assembly and accordingly opened for signature on March 7, 1966. It entered into force on January 4, 1969. Despite the obvious as stated in the Convention title, it aims to obliterate hate speech and promote understanding. Implementation of the articles is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, to which bi-annual reports are submitted by each signatory. It also is responsible for handling inter-state and individual complaints related to non-conformity to the provisions of the Convention, as prescribed in Article 14.

Kuwait acceded to the Convention on October 15, 1968. It made explicit mention of this act not implicating recognition of Israel, and that it does not consider itself bound by Article 22, pertaining to inter-state dispute resulting from interpretation or implementation of the Convention, stating that all parties to the dispute are to expressly consent to intervention of the International Court of Justice.