In a Special Report on “Torture in Kuwait”, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) aims to present some of the issues and cases of human rights defenders as they relate to the violation of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in light of the upcoming third review of Kuwait by the Committee against Torture (CAT). The 58th session of the CAT is taking place in Geneva, between 25 July and 12 August 2016.
Human rights defenders in Kuwait continue to be targeted and subjected to judicial harassment, intimidation and ill treatment at the hands of the authorities. Restrictions remain in place on freedom of expression and the judicial system is used to attack human rights defenders, in particular Bedoon activists, as the plight of the ‘stateless’ Bedoon community who account for approximately 180,000 of the population remains unresolved.
Despite national constitutional and legal provisions in place to criminalise torture and guarantee a right to a fair trial including prompt access to a lawyer, these provisions often go ignored in violation of articles one and two of the UNCAT. Human rights defenders are often arrested and subjected to intimidation and beaten without recourse to any legal representation or fair procedures.
Furthermore human rights defenders and online activists are often subjected to inhumane conditions and are detained with convicted criminals in violation of UNCAT.
Inadequate responsibility is taken or protection afforded by the Kuwaiti government to ensure the safety of these human rights defenders or for the promotion and protection of human rights. Such practice by the authorities not only blatantly violates their international human rights obligations but also hinders peaceful human rights work and threatens civil society and the protection and promotion of human rights. GCHR believes that the review by the CAT provides an opportunity for improving the human rights situation in Kuwait.
Download the full report in English HERE.
