Al-Sand: Kuwait records rise in human trafficking investigations, victim identification, and increased allocations

Kuwait officials: Kuwait maintains Tier 2 ranking for second consecutive year in U.S. State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report

Owaf Al-Sand, Deputy Minister of Justice and Vice Chair of the National Permanent Committee to Combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants, stated that Kuwait has retained its Tier 2 ranking for the second consecutive year, according to the U.S. Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which acknowledged the country’s growing efforts to combat human trafficking.

Al-Sand noted that the report recorded an increase in investigations, criminal prosecutions, and convictions compared to the previous reporting period, alongside a rise in the number of identified victims referred to care and increased financial allocations for their services, commending the efforts of relevant national entities.

She affirmed that Kuwait remains committed to strengthening anti-trafficking measures and protecting victims, adding that the National Committee will continue working with competent authorities to develop procedures and enhance implementation efficiency, while leveraging the report’s observations to safeguard human rights and reinforce the state’s international commitments.