KUWAIT CITY, July 7 : Kuwait is determined to further strengthen its national human rights system, a diplomat said on Monday, citing such efforts as part of a policy based on commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability. National efforts to bolster Kuwait’s human rights system entails ratcheting up cooperation with the United Nations and other relevant international bodies, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah said after a gathering of an ad hoc committee formed to look into the matter.

On the purpose of the committee, Kuwaiti health ministry assistant undersecretary for foreign healthcare services Dr. Hesham Kalendar said that the body was tantamount to a platform for coordination linking various state bodies that deal with human rights issues, particularly those related to the rights of women and children, he added. The committee also aims to ensure that state bodies work as a cohesive unit when compiling Kuwait’s routine report on human rights, in addition to the passing of legislations that aim to give impetus to Kuwait’s human rights system, the official underlined.

Echoing his sentiments, Kuwaiti Public Authority for Disability Affairs’ Acting Director General Wafa Al-Mahana highlighted the importance of the committee, saying that generating national awareness about human rights was among the body’s core objectives, in addition to unifying the efforts of state bodies towards the protection of human rights. On the committee’s meetings, Kuwaiti Social Affairs Ministry’s juvenile care department chief Dr. Jasem Al-Kanderi said that these gatherings aim to keep national cooperation on an upward trajectory, which he underlined as crucial to protect human rights.  (KUNA)