Kuwait stresses commitment to Durban plan

The State of Kuwait is committed to the fight against racism and the Durban Programme and Plan of Action (DDPA), stated the Kuwaiti speaker before the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) session convened here, Thursday.Advisor at the Kuwaiti delegation at the UN Malik Al-Wazzan read the statement and noted Kuwait is signatory of all international agreements and accords relating to countering all forms of racial discrimination. The country further enacted laws and drew constitution articles that guarantee basic rights, human rights, and basic freedoms are respected.The diplomat recalled that national laws include many articles that incriminate all forms of racism based on religion, and also recalled that the national unity bill incriminates all acts of bias based on color, sex, religious, opinion, ethnicity, social standing, or tribal, sectarian, or religious affiliation.He also noted the country is in the process of establishing a national authority for safeguarding human rights in harmony with the Kuwaiti Constitution, as well as international laws and accords in this field. He also recalled Kuwait has made pledges before the UN human rights councils that it fully intends to honor.Al-Wazzan also remarked that the state's development plans 2010-2011 and 2012-2014 include mechanisms aimed at curbing discrimination and encouraging positive outlook and attitude among students to instill aversion to discrimination. He also said the government had put several mechanism in place in the areas of health care, social life and action, women affairs, and care for and affairs of the young and the elderly all aimed at countering discrimination.Kuwait is a keen and active participant in the Durban Programme and Plan of Action (DDPA) and UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination sessions.The Kuwaiti address before the CERD reviewed its implementation of the recommendations of previous meetings and its exchange of visits with other signatories aiming to help implementation of the Durban plan.