Kuwaiti human rights association welcomes approval of human rights bill

Kuwait Human Rights Association welcomed Tuesday the government's approval a bill on the foundation of a national and independent human rights body.
In a press statement, the Association stated that the foundation of independent and national Human Rights Diwan would boost human rights in the country.
It added that the move has been a demand for the Kuwait civil society to safeguard human rights.
Last week, the government endorsed the human rights body's bill and referred it to the National Assembly for deliberation and approval in the upcoming legislative term.
The Association urged MPs to vote for "the bill which signals a significant progress in human rights work in the country," and to choose a the body board members from among renown national figures who are active in the field of civil society.
The bill also is a fulfilment of Kuwait's commitment to the UN Human Rights Council in 2010 to have a national human rights body, the Association noted.
It, however, expressed reservation about article three of the bill on the appointment of the members of the board of the new body.
It argued that the article contradicts Paris Principles on the regulation of national human rights institutions.
The Paris Principles, adopted the UN General Assembly in its Resolution 48/134 of 1993, relate to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights.
It stipulates, among other things, that the composition of the national institution and the appointment of its members, whether by means of an election or otherwise, shall be established in accordance with a procedure which affords all necessary guarantees to ensure the pluralist representation of the social forces (of civilian society) involved in the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly by powers which will enable effective cooperation to be established with, or through the presence of, representatives of: a) Non-governmental organizations responsible for human rights and efforts to combat racial discrimination, trade unions, concerned social and professional organizations, for example, associations of lawyers, doctors, journalists and eminent scientists; b) Trends in philosophical or religious thought; c) Universities and qualified experts; d) Parliament; e) Government departments (if these are included, their representatives should participate in the deliberations only in an advisory capacity).