(MENAFN - Arab Times) Several human rights experts in Kuwait have vehemently denied the alleged human rights abuse in the country as stated in the recent report released by the US Department Foreign Affairs, claiming it was not properly documented, reports Al-Anba daily.
On visa trading and the rights of unskilled expatriate employees, they said Kuwait's Interior Ministry, represented by the General Immigration Department, has taken several steps to address the problem. The department is still pursuing those behind the trade, as it has shut down 2,000 companies proven to be engaged in this illegal business. The necessary legal measures have been taken against these companies, such as the closure of their files and referral of the owners for investigation in preparation for the filing of a lawsuit against them.
About the alleged maltreatment of housemaids, the ministry has affirmed the law does not give special treatment to Kuwaitis in criminal cases or those related to assault and malpractices of citizens against the housemaids. The ministry cited various cases of assault on housemaids where the offenders have been sentenced to death for killing their maids, but it also affirmed all cases go through the legal process to determine the actual circumstances surrounding the issue.
On the freedom of speech of foreigners in Kuwait, they stressed the need to distinguish between regulated freedom of speech and violating the law like the case of the Syrians who stormed into their embassy. They pointed out this act is against universal and internal laws. They also cited the assistance and support the ministry has given to ensure smooth voting process for the Egyptian community in Kuwait to allow them to choose their president.
On the Bedouns issue, the experts asserted the government and the political leaders have established the Central System for Remedying the Status of Illegal Residents (CSRSIR) to look into the problems of Bedouns and to guarantee that proper procedures are taken in the naturalization of deserving citizenship applicants.
They affirmed the security agencies have allowed Bedouns, in various occasions, to practice their freedom of speech according to the regulations set forth by the authority in regard to public gatherings, but in few instances, the regulations were not observed which led to confrontation with the security officers. Thus, those involved were referred to the judiciary to determine which side has violated the law and then the court sets forth its rule.
On press freedom, the experts said the Kuwaiti media enjoys full freedom, explaining that whatever happened in relation to the closure of a newspaper was not due to the involvement of the government, particularly the Information Ministry, but it was the natural outcome of violations committed by the paper.
