The Kuwaiti ambassador to the UN in Geneva made an aggressive statement in response to UN-linked documents that referred to attacks on Gulf territories as being a “retaliatory” act, a classification that was argued by the Kuwaiti government would legitimize aggressive action and threaten regional security. In issuing his statement within the framework of the UN’s 61st session on human rights, the ambassador called for unequivocal language that condemned attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure and reiterated that Kuwait has the right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
At a podium that has historically been the site of contentious human rights debates in the past, the Kuwaiti ambassador reframed what has been described as a legal dispute to one of loss of life and regional stability and urged the international community to refrain from using language that could be perceived as condoning attacks across borders, an argument the president’s use of such language would be viewed positively in the Gulf following the recent Security Council’s resolution that decried the same attacks. His statement combined legal references with condemnation for the loss of life of the victims and made clear that any threats to the sovereignty of a state will be met with the strictest condemnation.
The ongoing dispute demonstrates that there is an ongoing tension in the practice of multilateral reporting between doing an analysis of root causes versus using words that will protect civilians and prevent escalation of violence from taking place. The envoy’s remarks further clarify how the words used by investigators and human rights offices (who are independent) will provide strategic impact for history, as well as providing political stability to those parties on the ground involved in the human rights community.
While it was clear that tensions escalated during these events, the closing of the statement clearly appealed for restraint. The representative from Kuwait noted that the protection of human rights and the preservation of security are goals that are closely interrelated; therefore, accountability must not be used as a pretext for more violence, and the humanitarian need continues to be the highest priority.
A reminder that the words used in diplomacy matter and how one word can impact your country’s reputation and future diplomatic relations by affecting how others perceive you and could lead to long-running consequences in the event of a new worldwide conflict. Legal issues regarding the development committees may matter less than usual because there are many more claims to support their own claims. Currently, it is more important than ever to protect civilians, resolve tensions peacefully, and establish a long-lasting solution to the issues that have caused so many deaths.
