Restrictions on Human Rights Organizations in Kuwait

Following article published in Arab Times 16/4/2011 describes new decision of Ministry of Information of the State of Kuwait about dealing with International Human Rights Organizations:

"  ‘Restrict dealing with rights units’ - MoI issues rules

KUWAIT CITY, April 15: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has instructed its departments and units not to deal with international human rights organizations and authorities, unless it is done  through its foreign affairs counterpart, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.
Sources revealed MoI Undersecretary Lieutenant General Ghazi Al-Omar issued decision number 45/2011 on the guidelines in dealing with international human rights organizations according to the directives of the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as follows:

•  The human rights organization and bodies should deal with the member nations through their ministries of foreign affairs.
•  The language used in dealing with the organizations should be Arabic since it is one of the six formal languages in the United Nations (UN).
•  The member nations should immediately provide the Secretariat (Security Affairs Sector) with a report on the experiences and standards in dealing with the organizations.
•  The guidelines must not contravene the laws and bylaws of the member nations.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry also announced that the  Nuwaiseeb land border post, which underwent several renovations, is now ready to handle all arriving and departing travelers, reports Al-Rai daily.

Assistant Undersecretary for Borders Security at the Ministry of Interior Major General Abdullah Al-Muhanna said the number of lanes have been increased from 6 to 11 due to the importance of this border. According to Al-Muhanna, a special lane has been designated for bearers of diplomatic passports and another lane for holders of ID cards of the divided region between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The post is equipped with state-of-the-art information technology capabilities and has competent officials who can handle the pressures. Al-Muhanna added that the border received 1,698,147 travelers in the period from Jan 1 until April 11. During last February alone, more than 650,000 travelers used the exit, he said."

SOURCE:

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/168001/reftab/73/Default.aspx