Kuwait moves to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law
Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Permanent National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait, announced today the completion of two key draft laws aimed at reinforcing Kuwait’s commitment to international humanitarian standards.
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Sumait confirmed that the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the national committee, has finalized a draft law protecting the emblem of the Red Crescent and other humanitarian symbols, and a draft law granting the Kuwaiti judiciary jurisdiction over serious international crimes.
These laws have now been referred to the Fatwa and Legislation Department for final legal review and drafting. Upon approval, they will be submitted to the Council of Ministers, and ultimately to the Supreme Court, in alignment with Kuwait’s legislative procedures.
Al-Sumait explained that the draft law on the Red Crescent emblem is designed to provide national legal safeguards for the emblem and other recognized humanitarian symbols used during armed conflicts and natural disasters.
The law is in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure the neutrality and safety of humanitarian operations.
He clarified that the second draft law empowers Kuwaiti judiciary to prosecute serious international crimes, in line with Article 17 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. This represents a significant step toward ensuring accountability for crimes of international concern and enhances Kuwait’s alignment with global legal norms.
Al-Sumait noted that the two legislative proposals were drafted during a previous session of the national committee by a team of Kuwaiti legal experts, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a long-standing strategic partnership.
He expressed deep appreciation to all local and international legal experts who contributed to the drafting process and reaffirmed the State of Kuwait’s commitment to upholding international humanitarian law within its national legal and institutional systems.
