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Addressing the United Nations, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh al-Sabah praised the allied nations that liberated Kuwait in 1991 “in support of truth and justice.” When UN Watch’s Hillel Neuer took the floor at the UN Human Rights Council, he exposed Kuwait’s suppression of freedoms, a betrayal of those from the West who died to protect it-prompting the Kuwaiti delegation to try and silence him.
Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh al-Sabah:
I recall here gratefully some of the most prominent success stories of the Untied Nations when the world, 35 years ago, stood in solidarity with the state of Kuwait and in support of truth, justice, and the rule of law.
And this message of support remains in the heart of every Kuwaiti citizen today, as well as the efforts to liberate Kuwait from a brutal invasion.
Hillel Neuer, UN Watch:
Distinguished delegates, we recently heard the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh al-Sabah, telling the UN how 35 years ago, allied nations liberated Kuwait “in support of truth, justice and the rule of law.”
Indeed, hundreds of Americans, Britons and others gave their lives to free Kuwait.Now, today, we consider its record.
On May 10, Emir al-Sabah unilaterally and unconstitutionally dissolved Kuwait’s parliament. When activists complained, he threw them in prison.
According to the U.S. state Department in Kuwait, there are credible reports of torture, arbitrary arrest, serious restrictions on free speech and freedom of the press, and trafficking in persons including forced labor.
Kuwait, Is this what you mean by justice?
Under the cybercrime law, Kuwait jails peaceful dissidents for tweets. Prisoners are hanged with no due process. Women are denied equal rights. Gays are criminalized.
Human rights defenders, journalists and academics have been stripped of their nationality in violation of international law.
Kuwait, Is this what you mean by rule of law?
68% of Kuwait’s residents are non-citizens with no right to vote. Naturalization is rarely granted and entirely prohibited for non-Muslims.
Last year, the cabinet approved the Emir’s decree, removing the right of foreign women to acquire citizenship.
In Kuwait, 100,000 residents known as “Bidoun” are denied citizenship, healthcare, jobs and education. When Bidoun poet Mona Karim attempted to return to Kuwait, she was expelled at the airport.
Migrant workers remained trapped in the kafala system, denied basic protections, their passports confiscated, and their labor exploited.
And so today, we ask Kuwait, 35 years ago, hundreds worldwide gave their lives to restore your freedom. Do you now honor their sacrifice by denying freedom to your own Kuwaiti people?
UNHRC Chair:
Point of order from the delegation of Kuwait.
Kuwait:
This NGO has deviated from the question before us and has addressed issues that are not covered by this item on the agenda. We would ask you to rectify them.
UNHRC Chair:
Thank you. I’ll give the floor back to the speaker of United Nations Watch.
Hillel Neuer, UN Watch:
Mr. Chair, Kuwait’s attempt to silence us is exactly what they do to their own people at home, proving the very point we were making.
I thank you.
At the UN, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh al-Sabah praised the allied nations who, in 1991, liberated Kuwait “in support of truth and justice.”
When I took the floor to ask if Kuwait now honors that sacrifice by denying freedom to its own people-Kuwait tried to silence me. pic.twitter.com/0LEdf4rMO7
- Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) October 16, 2025
