(Judicial Studies): Kuwait's Constitution Emphasizes Establishing Fundamental Principles of Rights and Freedoms and Safeguarding Personal Liberty
Advisor Saud Al-Sa'yan highlights the Constitution's role in protecting rights during a workshop with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Kuwait City, 18 Oct (KUNA) – Assistant Director of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies for Continuous and Specialized Training, Saud Al-Sanea, said on Sunday 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.
Al-Sanea made these remarks in a speech delivered on behalf of the Institute’s Director, First Counselor 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 Shqoura. The workshop focused on international human rights standards and 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 embodies this approach by exploring human rights in national legislation and international instruments, and by clarifying how their principles impact 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 administering justice. He expressed confidence that the workshop would provide a platform for exchanging expertise, enriching legal knowledge, and linking international standards to practical judicial applications, thereby positively reflecting on the quality of judicial performance.
For his part, Shqoura, in a similar speech, expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Institute for its constructive cooperation with OHCHR and its continuous efforts to enhance legal and judicial knowledge, and to provide training opportunities and platforms for exchanging experiences among judicial and legal professionals.
He congratulated Kuwait on its election as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2027–2029, expressing hope that this membership would serve as an additional opportunity to strengthen cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms and to continue efforts aimed at fulfilling international commitments 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 enhanced knowledge of 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 related to the implementation of human rights standards.
Also present at the workshop were Assistant Director of the Institute for Communications, Relations, and Research, Dr. Ahmed Al-Maqaled, and Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights Affairs, Counselor Abdullah Abu Shiba.
The workshop, which concludes on Wednesday, will discuss ways to strengthen and build national and legal capacities in the field of human rights, exchange expertise, raise awareness, and address practical challenges related to human rights standards. (End) F.N. / M.K.
