UN urges Kuwait to investigate use of excessive force against peaceful Bedoon protesters

Association

The situation for human rights defenders advocating for the rights of the Bedoon community was discussed during the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council at a panel event organised by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights. The event "Defending the Civil & Human Rights of the Bedoon Community in Kuwait: The ongoing targeting of Bedoon activists" aimed to highlight the chronic problems facing the Bedoon community in Kuwait and in particular Bedoon human rights defenders and online activists. The event also focused on ways in which international mechanisms, including the UN system, could support activists working in defence of the rights of the Bedoon community. Human Rights Watch subsequently highlighted the situation of the Bedoon community in its submission ahead of Kuwait’s Periodic Report for the 68th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in October.

Peaceful Assembly

In September 2017, the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination examined Kuwait's record on discrimination of racial and ethnic minorities. Several organisations submitted reports on violations against the Bedoon community, as reported previously on the Monitor. The Committee expressed concern over documented reports of excessive force used during peaceful protests taking place in defence of the rights of the Bedoon community. In addition, it further recommended that the Kuwaiti authorities promptly investigate the "allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary detention, deterrence of lawful protests, ill-treatment and torture of human rights defenders". 

Civic Space Developments
Country
Kuwait
Country rating
Repressed
Category
Latest Developments
Tags
indigenous groups,  excessive force,  minority groups, 
Date Posted

19.10.2017

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