Kuwait at the UN: Respect for International Humanitarian Law is Obligatory
Diplomatic Attaché Mohammed Al-Mutairi highlights Kuwait's efforts in protecting civilians and upholding humanitarian law.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
This came in a speech delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Mohammed Al-Mutairi on Monday before the Sixth Committee (Legal) of the United Nations General Assembly, during the discussion of Agenda Item 81, titled “Additional Protocols.”
Al-Mutairi emphasized the importance of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols as the cornerstone of the international humanitarian law system. He stressed the necessity of adhering to the principles of distinction between civilians and combatants, ensuring proportionality and taking feasible precautions during attacks, and protecting the wounded, sick, and medical and humanitarian personnel.
He outlined Kuwait’s efforts to strengthen its national legislation, pointing to the adoption of Law-Decree No. 134/2025 concerning the regulation of the use and protection of the Red Crescent and Red Cross emblems, and Law-Decree No. 154/2025 concerning the protection of missing persons. The latter establishes a national framework for investigating persons missing as a result of armed conflicts and guarantees their families the right to know the fate of their relatives.
He reiterated the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution 2474 (2019) on persons missing in armed conflicts, which Kuwait proposed during its tenure on the Council. He noted continued cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and highlighted the role of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law in monitoring national commitments, raising awareness of its provisions, and providing training on them.
He pointed out that vital installations and civilian objects in Kuwait, including water desalination plants, Kuwait International Airport, and the Public Institution for Social Security, were targeted. These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of several civilians, public employees, and military personnel. He warned against the threat of targeting desalination plants, which jeopardizes access to water for the population.
He also condemned the targeting of ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring freedom of navigation and transit, and compliance with Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which was sponsored by 136 countries.
Furthermore, he condemned Houthi militia attacks on civilian objects in Saudi Arabia, including King Khalid International Airport and King Fahd International Airport, which resulted in the martyrdom of citizens and residents and endangered civilians.
Al-Mutairi renewed the call to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution. He affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to continuing its national and international efforts to protect victims of armed conflicts, alleviate human suffering, and consolidate the rule of law.
