A/HRC/44/2 documented allegations of violations of the rights of the Bidoon, including incidents of abuses, as well as discrimination in health care, employment, social services and education. 433. Amnesty International (by video message), welcomed the acceptance by Kuwait of recommendations to ensure that the Bidoon have equal access to education, healthcare and employment and some on the acquisition of nationality. It regretted the rejection by Kuwait, of a number of other recommendations, including those that would go furthest toward ending statelessness. It was troubled by the assertion by Kuwait that there are no stateless in Kuwait, only illegal residents. It also regretted the rejection of recommendations to join treaties protecting migrant workers and refugees, protecting freedom of expression, ensuring gender equality and criminalize sexual violence and marital rape. 434. The Iraqi Development Organization expressed concern about allegations that Bidoon citizens were reportedly being denied access to education, health care and employment and faced mass arrests, torture and abuse when trying to exercise their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. It stated they were prohibited to gather in public spaces and inhibited from freedom of movement. It affirmed these practices were contrary to the support by Kuwait to the recommendations and pressured the Kuwaiti Government to promote and protect human rights. 435. Villages unis noted concrete efforts undertaken by Kuwait, its intention to ratify fundamental human rights and determination to cooperate with United Nations mechanisms, to enable women’s rights, to diffuse a culture of the human rights through a programme of training and education, and to respect the rights of foreigners. It encouraged Kuwait to continue to guarantee freedom of opinion and expression and democracy. It called for strengthening human rights and hoped for the maintenance of the enhancement of maritime heritage. 436. Health and Environment Program stated that efforts by Kuwait in human rights have made it possible to improve its position and advance on the global prosperity index, as well as its intention to address discrimination against women. It stated, however, that the 302 recommendations received reflected the need to address human rights concerns. It supported the recommendations made by many States who urged Kuwait to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. 437. Alsalam Foundation expressed concern that thousands of Kuwaiti women were unable to pass the citizenship to their children if they were married to a non-Kuwaiti, depriving them from accessing state services. It also expressed concern about allegations over the violation of the rights of the Bidoons and stated that the Bidoon are being deprived of their right to citizenship, employment, housing or social services and other rights. It also alleged that Bidoon activists had been subjected to torture at the hands of security forces because they reportedly protested against discrimination against Bidoons. 438. Africa culture internationale acknowledged the efforts made by Kuwait to implement recommendations from the previous universal periodic review cycle by supporting programmes, launching the Sustainable Development Strategy for 2030, enhancing its cooperation policy that resulted in the provision of development aid to 106 countries without discrimination, donating 100 million dollars to the World Health Organization to fight coronavirus; and by providing attention to the empowerment of women, young people, persons with disabilities and children. 4. Concluding remarks of the State under review 439. The Vice-President stated that, based on the information provided, out of 302 recommendations received, 230 enjoy the support of Kuwait, and 66 are noted. Additional GE. 73