Human Rights Watch has criticised Kuwait for its human rights record but praised some improvements.
In its World Report 2010 the top international human rights group said the Arab country was depriving stateless bidun of their rights while abuse of its foreign domestic workers continued.
The New York-based group praised the introduction of a new labour law with tougher penalties but said it failed to cover more than 600,000 domestic workers in the country.
“Kuwaiti lawmakers have taken important steps to address gaps in the rights of its migrant workforce,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Omitting domestic workers, who need the most protection, signals to employers that the door remains open for abuse and exploitation.”
Women in Kuwait still lack equal civil and political rights while their rights to free expression and privacy continue to come under government attack, the report added.
The group also raised concerns over Kuwait’s 120,000 bidun, long time residents whom the government does not recognise as Kuwaiti nationals and are stateless. “They continue to suffer discriminatory access to healthcare, education, and violations of their right to marry and have a family,” said the report.
On Monday a UAE government official slammed a recent report by the organisation in which it called on the UAE to improve its human rights record. Speaking to WAM a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said the report “was factually incorrect” and it failed to recognise genuine efforts made by the UAE government.
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