Convention
Abbreviation:
CAT
COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Twentieth session
4 - 22 May 1998
Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture
Kuwait
220. The
Committee considered the initial report of Kuwait (CAT/C/37/Add.1)
at its 334th and 335th meetings, on 13 May 1998 (CAT/C/SR.334 and
335), and adopted the following conclusions and recommendations.
1. Introduction
221. Kuwait
acceded to the Convention against Torture on 8 March 1996 and its
initial report was due on 7 March 1997. The report was received in
timely fashion on 15 October 1997.
222. The
report accords generally with the guidelines for such reports.
2. Positive aspects
223. Kuwait
seems to have in place the necessary legal institutions to combat
torture.
224. Kuwait
has confronted incidents of torture and prosecuted those responsible.
225. The
Committee views as a positive step the setting up of a government-funded
Torture Victims' Rehabilitation Centre in Kuwait.
3. Factors
and difficulties impeding the application of the provisions of the
Convention
226. The
Committee is not aware of any factors that might impede the application
of the provisions of the Convention.
4. Subjects of concern
227. The
Committee is concerned that there is no defined crime of torture in
Kuwait.
5. Recommendations
228. The
Committee recommends that Kuwait consider withdrawing its reservations
to the Committee's article 20 jurisdiction.
229. The
Committee also recommends that Kuwait consider declaring in favour
of articles 21 and 22 of the Convention.
230. The
Committee further recommends that Kuwait consider enacting in its
Criminal Code a defined crime of torture or, if the Convention applies
by incorporation, an independent crime of torture.
231. The
Committee looks forward to the additional explanations to be provided
to it in writing as promised.
