Diwan of Human Rights to... "National Authority"

The decree, published in the official gazette “Kuwait Today” on Sunday, stated that “the National Authority is an independent public body with legal personality, which carries out its functions and competencies with independence and neutrality, and works to promote and protect human rights in accordance with the provisions of this Law.”

According to the decree, “the Authority is attached to the Minister of Justice, without his having any authority to direct or interfere in its operations,” adding that “the Authority’s operations and tasks, and the management of all its affairs, are overseen by a Board of Directors composed of five full-time members, including the Chairman and his deputy, who are national figures known for their competence, integrity, and concern for human rights issues. Representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Education, and Social Affairs, as well as the Fatwa and Legislation Department, the Civil Service Bureau, and the Public Authority for Manpower, attend Board of Directors meetings in an advisory capacity, participating in deliberations without voting rights.”

It was stipulated that “members of the Board of Directors and employees of the Authority shall not be held accountable for acts performed in the exercise of their competencies as prescribed by law, provided they comply with the requirements of their official duties. The appointment of Board of Directors members is issued by an Emiri Decree for a term of four years, renewable once, based on a nomination by the Minister of Justice. The Council of Ministers determines the allowances of Board of Directors members by decision. All government entities of various kinds, as well as non-governmental entities, are obliged to assist the Authority in performing its functions and competencies, and to facilitate its access to the data, information, or documents relevant to its field of work, and to respond to the Authority’s correspondence.”