Judicial Studies: Kuwait's Constitution Emphasizes Founding Principles of Rights and Freedoms

The Deputy Director of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies for Continuous and Specialized Training, Advisor Saud Al-Sanea, stated that the Constitution of the State of Kuwait is committed to establishing the fundamental principles of rights and freedoms, safeguarding personal liberty, guaranteeing the right to litigation, and ensuring judicial independence. These principles form the foundation from which the legislative system derives.

This remark was made in a speech delivered by Al-Sanea on behalf of the Institute’s Director, Advisor Awal Badr Al-Musaed, during a workshop organized by the Institute in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), represented by its Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, Mazen Shaqoura. The workshop focused on international standards pertaining to human rights and the related legal obligations.

Al-Sanea added that the Institute believes that developing judicial work extends beyond familiarity with national legislation to include deepening knowledge of relevant international standards and understanding their implementation mechanisms. He noted that the workshop embodied this approach by exploring human rights in national legislation and international instruments, and by clarifying how their principles reflect upon Kuwaiti criminal justice.

He emphasized the importance of investing in the training of judges, members of the Public Prosecution, and other legal professionals, as they constitute the cornerstone for enforcing legislation, protecting rights, and upholding justice. He expressed confidence that the workshop would provide a platform for exchanging expertise, enriching legal knowledge, and linking international standards with practical judicial applications, thereby positively impacting the quality of judicial performance.

For his part, Shaqoura, in a similar address, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Institute for its constructive cooperation with OHCHR and its continuous efforts to enhance legal and judicial knowledge, as well as to provide training opportunities and platforms for experience-sharing among judicial and legal professionals.

He congratulated the State of Kuwait on its election as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2027–2029, looking forward to this membership serving as an additional opportunity to strengthen cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms and to continue efforts aimed at fulfilling international obligations and enhancing the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He stated that OHCHR places special importance on cooperation with judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies through the provision of technical support, capacity-building, and the promotion of knowledge regarding international human rights standards. He added that the workshop represents an important opportunity for dialogue, exchange of experiences and practices, and discussion of practical challenges associated with the implementation of human rights standards.