Al-Mulla: Kuwait's Sovereignty is a Red Line, Not Up for Negotiation; We Assert Our Inherent Right to Self-Defense

Kuwait affirmed that the protection of human rights and the preservation of human dignity are shared international responsibilities that require respect for state sovereignty and international law, the protection of civilians, and accountability for violations, free from selectivity, politicization, and double standards. This was stated in a speech delivered by Kuwait’s representative, Second Secretary Wafaa Al-Mulla, before the United Nations General Assembly during the discussion of the agenda item concerning the report of the Human Rights Council.

Al-Mulla said that promoting and protecting human rights is not merely a principle enshrined in international charters and conventions, but an obligation incumbent upon all states without exception, forming the foundation for achieving security, stability, and peace. She expressed Kuwait’s appreciation to the UN member states for the trust placed in its country by electing it as a member of the Human Rights Council for the term (2027–2029), noting that this trust represents an international responsibility to continue working to enhance and protect human rights in cooperation with Council members and all UN member states.

Kuwait reaffirmed its firm belief in international multilateralism and that the UN Charter must remain the primary reference for all states without exception, warning that the strength of the international system rests on adherence to international law, respect for state sovereignty, and the rights of peoples. She pointed out that the United Nations was not established to be a witness to violations, but rather a collective framework to prevent and address them, and that diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful means of dispute resolution constitute a consistent approach in Kuwait’s foreign policy.

Al-Mulla stated that talk of human rights loses its credibility when innocent civilians are attacked, civilian facilities are targeted, and claims of self-defense are used as a pretext to violate state sovereignty and threaten the security of peoples. In this context, Kuwait reiterated its strongest condemnation of Iranian attacks on its territory since February 28, 2026, considering them a blatant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a serious breach of the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

She clarified that the attacks affected residential areas and civilian facilities, including hospitals, energy facilities, ports, the airport, oil installations, and water infrastructure, endangering the lives and safety of civilians and threatening their fundamental rights, foremost among them the right to life, security, and safety. She added that the gravity of these attacks is compounded by their occurrence during the holy month of Ramadan, when citizens and residents were going about their daily lives and religious observances in peace and security.

Kuwait firmly rejected Iran’s attempts to justify these attacks by invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter, emphasizing that the right to self-defense does not grant any state a blank check to violate the sovereignty of other states or target civilians and civilian facilities. Al-Mulla stressed the importance of full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which condemned the Iranian attacks on Kuwait and other countries in the region, called for respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and demanded adherence to the provisions of the UN Charter.

She also referred to Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1, adopted by consensus in Geneva on March 25, 2026, concerning the impact of Iranian attacks on human rights in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The resolution demanded that Iran immediately and unconditionally cease its attacks, threats, and provocations, and provide full, effective, and prompt reparation for the damage and losses resulting from its internationally wrongful acts. She affirmed that these resolutions represent a clear international stance regarding

The severity of these attacks underscores that preserving the credibility of international institutions is not limited to adopting resolutions, but requires their implementation and ensuring accountability for violations and an end to impunity. In this context, Al-Mulla expressed the State of Kuwait’s strong condemnation and rejection of the attacks launched by the Houthi militia from Yemeni territory against the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which targeted civilian and critical infrastructure, including airports, resulting in casualties and injuries among innocent civilians.

She expressed Kuwait’s full and steadfast solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its standing by its side in all measures taken to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, emphasizing that the security of the Kingdom is an integral part of Kuwait’s security and the broader Gulf and Arab security framework.

Kuwait called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in condemning these attacks, confronting them, ensuring the protection of civilians, and holding those responsible accountable, while stressing the necessity of halting escalation and prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to preserve the region’s security and stability.

She stressed that human rights are indivisible, that the protection of civilians is not a selective issue, and that respect for state sovereignty is an obligation that must not be subjected to political calculations or double standards.

She noted that Kuwait has long pursued an foreign policy based on dialogue, diplomacy, good neighborliness, respect for state sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs, but that its commitment to these principles does not imply leniency toward attacks on its sovereignty or threats to the security of its people.

She stated that “Kuwait’s sovereignty is a red line and not subject to negotiation,” affirming her country’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and international law, and its right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.