The recommendations presented also include reviewing the human trafficking law to ensure that penalties are proportional to the nature and severity of the offenses. The goal is to enact the necessary laws and rulings to prevent the collection of money in exchange for “releasing” or renewing employment contracts.

US Ambassador Karen Hideko Sasahara, US Ambassador-at-Large Cindy Dyer and Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah

Meanwhile, US Ambassador-at-Large for Monitoring and Combating Trafficking in Persons Cindy Dyer’s visit to Kuwait enhances bilateral cooperation in combating trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, said Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Sabah. This came in a press statement Tuesday by Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah to KUNA on the conclusion of Ambassador Dyer’s visit to the country, which lasted from November 2 to 5, and aimed to learn about the efforts of Kuwait in combating human trafficking and enhancing the protection of human rights. Ambassador Dyer met with the Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Permanent National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, Dr. Mohammad Al-Wasmi, and members of the committee, where they reviewed the achievements made and the challenges facing Kuwait in this field, with a focus on its role as a transit country and not an exporter of this crime, she added. She stated that the US Ambassador praised Kuwait’s serious and continuous efforts to combat this phenomenon and praised the work of the members of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordinating these efforts with all concerned parties.

Ambassador Dyer was quoted as stressing the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries to enhance the joint commitment to combating this global phenomenon and protecting the rights of individuals, noting that this visit embodies the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and the shared responsibility in protecting human rights. She also pointed out that the Ambassador visited the shelter center and the Office for Combating Trafficking in Persons, in addition to visiting several public benefit associations related to human rights and representatives of civil society such as the Kuwait Society for Human Rights, the Lawyers Association, and the General Federation of Kuwait Workers to learn about field efforts in this field. She stressed that Kuwait is keen to promote humanitarian standards and protect individuals from all forms of exploitation, as it works to train national cadres in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Organization for Migration, the International Labor Organization, and other organizations. Sheikha Jawaher affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to cooperate with the international community and strategic partners to continue efforts to strengthen legislation that preserves the dignity and rights of individuals.