Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the National Human Rights Bureau, in cooperation with the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University, held the opening session and workshops for workers in the field of human rights and law enforcement under the title “Human Rights Policies in the State of Kuwait: Interaction with Local and International Situations” in the presence of the representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Saad Abdulaziz Al-Muhaini, His Excellency the Ambassador and Chairman of the National Human Rights Bureau Jassim Al-Mubaraki, and the Acting Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University Prof. Yacoub Al-Kandari, at Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Theater at the University Campus - Shuwaikh.

Initially, the representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Saad Abdulaziz Al-Muhaini emphasized that Kuwait, believing in humanitarian work and the importance of protecting and promoting human rights at national and international levels, offers a number of pledges individually and in groups related to matters including family, women, and children. He expressed deep regret that the world stands helpless in stopping the bloodshed, massacres, destruction, and brutal acts committed by Israeli occupation forces against the unarmed Palestinian people, despite international movement and interest in human rights and the progress the world has made in human rights in general.

He added that Kuwait, during its membership in the Human Rights Council which will begin at the start of next year, will make the Palestinian cause one of its priorities through providing all forms of support, noting that Kuwait’s win in the Human Rights Council membership after the support of 183 voting states is the result of a long journey and fruitful achievements at national and international levels.

Al-Muhaini pointed out that Kuwait, with its firm belief in humanitarian work and keenness to promote human rights at the international level, has joined seven international treaties and two other protocols closely related to human rights, explaining that Kuwait submits periodic reviews on these treaties to implement them and improve the human rights situation in the country. It also regularly receives international rapporteurs concerned with human rights issues and cooperates with the High Commissioner for Human Rights as the entity mandated by the UN Secretary-General to preserve and promote human rights.

In the same context, the Chairman of the National Human Rights Bureau Jassim Al-Mubaraki emphasized that we cannot overlook condemning the brutal Zionist aggression on the Gaza Strip, which is committing genocide and war crimes against humanity, the majority of whom are women and children, in addition to demolishing and destroying all vital facilities.

Al-Mubaraki stated that the National Human Rights Bureau has been keen since its establishment to support all initiatives that contribute to promoting and respecting human rights in accordance with international covenants and conventions and Kuwaiti legislation, explaining that these workshops aim to raise awareness and build the capacities of workers in human rights fields in Kuwait.

For his part, the Acting Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center at Kuwait University Prof. Yacoub Al-Kandari stated that Kuwait University, represented by the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center, seeks to adopt such workshops on human rights policies.

The opening session began with a group of speakers from various government and civil entities, headed by Mr. Muzaffar Abdullah Rashid from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Human Rights Affairs Department. It was followed by Prof. Abdulreda Asiri, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University and member of the Board of Directors of the National Human Rights Bureau and Chairman of the Complaints and Grievances Committee.

The Director of Public Morals Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Department from the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier Haitham Al-Othman, indicated that Kuwait is a pioneer in embodying the most important elements of humanitarian work stemming from the ethics of Kuwaiti society.

The Vice President of the Kuwaiti Association for Human Rights Fundamentals, Mr. Abdullah Al-Damkhi, mentioned that the association’s role comes through three main axes: the association’s role in defending human rights and spreading its culture, its contribution alongside civil society organizations in addressing human rights situations in the country, and how to develop the work of associations working in the field of human rights.

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Dr. Mariam Al-Azmi, explained that the goal of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs is to protect the family and ensure women’s rights and protection from harm at all levels.

The session concluded with Judge Dr. Ahmed Al-Muqled, Counselor at the Court of Appeals and member of the General Secretariat of the National Permanent Committee for International Humanitarian Law at the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies.

At the end of the session, all speakers were honored by His Excellency the Ambassador and Chairman of the National Human Rights Bureau Jassim Al-Mubaraki and the Acting Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Center Prof. Yacoub Al-Kandari.

A cartoon exhibition by artist Mohammed Thallab from the Kuwaiti Cartoon Society was held alongside the opening.