Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group

21st Session (19 - 30 January 2015)

2nd UPR of Kuwait – Interactive Dialogue

Wednesday 28 January 2015, 14:30 am - 18:00 pm

Statement by India

Mr. President,

1. India warmly welcomes the delegation of Kuwait led by H.E. Ms. Hend Al-Subaih, Minister of Social Affairs & Labour and Minister of State for Planning & Development.

Mr. President,

2.We welcome Kuwait’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the reforms undertaken to advance rights of women. We encourage Kuwait to adopt a comprehensive national action plan to further promote gender equality.

3. We commend Kuwait’s commitment to humanitarian and development aid to many countries.

4. We recommend Kuwait ensure that its new Human Rights Institution is fully compliant with the Paris Principles.

5. We welcome progressive measures to address the rights of domestic workers, issue of human trafficking, illegal residents and migrant labour. We note that the Private Sector Labour Act made a provision for the establishment of a general authority to address workforce issues, particularly in relation to migrant workers. We recommend that Kuwait considers effective implementation of this progressive legislation with a view to address problems faced by migrant labour and also to address the negative aspects of the sponsorship system.

6. We wish the delegation all success in its future endeavors.

Thank you Mr. President.

*****