A/HRC/15/60 601. Illegal residency was one of the main difficulties and challenges that Kuwait was striving to face. State bodies were trying to determine the nationality of these residents, but a large number of them hid their identity documents because they feared being deprived of benefits. Kuwait had endeavoured to facilitate the lives of these workers in Kuwait by providing them with all necessary benefits, particularly in the fields of education and health. Despite the difficulties encountered, Kuwait was reviewing very seriously the ways to solve these problems in line with the Constitution and national laws. 602. Kuwait had noted the recommendation on the Rome Statute, although it had already signed it. 603. Kuwait had noted some recommendations on domestic workers, and approved the recommendation pertaining to the fifth paragraph of the new labour law, which required the minister to adopt the necessary decrees for this particular group of workers. The decrees came into force with the adoption of ministerial decree 1182 of 2010. Article 8 of the decree stipulated the rights and benefits of domestic workers, including salary, maximum working hours, leave and living conditions. 604. Kuwait has made all the necessary efforts to promote the role of women in society and approved the recommendation pertaining to equal opportunities, including for diplomatic posts. Kuwait had established a national workplan to ensure gender equality, in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against women. Kuwait was making further efforts to enhance the role of women in the judiciary, and had noted this recommendation. 605. Kuwait had also approved the recommendations to extend a standing invitation to the special procedures to abrogate Kafalah law and to set up a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. The establishment of such an institution had the support of all at the very highest level. Kuwait reassured the Council that it would implement all accepted recommendations. 2. Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome 606. Qatar noted that Kuwait had accepted the three recommendations it had made on an independent national human rights institution; sharing information about the experience of Bait al-Zakat in the humanitarian field; and juvenile justice. Qatar felt that the acceptance of so many recommendations by Kuwait, and its open and cooperative spirit during the interactive dialogue, demonstrated the sincerity of Kuwait in its interaction with the universal periodic review process and other human rights mechanisms. 607. Algeria welcomed the efforts made by Kuwait to raise living standards, which had resulted in a high standard of development, as also reflected in its human rights situation. Algeria expressed appreciation that Kuwait had accepted the four recommendations that it had made, and encouraged Kuwait to continue to strengthen and consolidate its achievements in the area of human rights. Algeria drew attention to the role played by Kuwait at the international level, in particular the development assistance that Kuwait provided to other countries. 608. Saudi Arabia noted the positive interaction by Kuwait with all human rights mechanisms and its readiness to cooperate and engage in dialogue on human rights, as demonstrated by the acceptance of most recommendations. The review of the human rights situation in Kuwait had been a useful opportunity to learn about the efforts made by Kuwait to develop its legislation and institutions with a view to promoting and protecting human rights. Saudi Arabia appreciated these efforts and encouraged Kuwait to continue them. GE.11-17043 173

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