Kuwaiti delegates advocate for Gulf identity, cybersecurity

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 6: Members of the Kuwaiti parliamentary delegation to the 17th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Parliaments Assembly MPs Muhammad Al-Mahan and Fahd bin Jame’e represented the country in the 16th meeting of the Foreign Relations Coordinative Committee. Al-Mahan, who serves as Secretary of the Inter-Parliamentary Group, stressed the need for such meetings in order to consolidate positions on common issues in international forums. He disclosed that the committee discussed a number of common Gulf issues, which reflect the unity of GCC countries On the other hand, Jame’e – a member of the Executive Committee in the Inter-Parliamentary Group – confirmed that they reached an agreement on some common issues; such as developing the Gulf identity and strengthening cybersecurity.

He said the Foreign Relations Coordinative Committee presented a report, including recommendations that will be referred to the GCC Assembly scheduled for Tuesday with the speakers of GCC parliaments and consultative councils in attendance. Kuwait’s delegation is headed by National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun and it consists of Inter-Parliamentary Group Undersecretary MP Hamad Al-Matar, Secretary MP Muhammad Al-Mahan, Treasurer MP Hamad Al-Obaid and members MPs Dawoud Maarefi, Falah Bin Jame’e and Shuaib Shaaban. In a relevant development, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Qatar Khalid Badr Al-Mutairi hosted a dinner in honor of Al- Saadoun, and the Inter-Parliamentary Group and Arab Parliament delegations.

Kuwaiti members of the Arab Parliament MPs Ahmed Lari, Hamdan Al-Azmi, Khalid Al- Otaibi, and Muhammad Al-Hewaila attended the event. Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee tasked to investigate and follow up the points in the grilling motions filed by MPs Mubarak Al-Tasha and Dawoud Maarefi against former Minister of Public Works Amani Bugamaz held its first meeting on Monday. Moreover, MP Abdulaziz Al-Saqaabi forwarded queries to Minister of Health Ahmed Al-Awadhi about the contracts signed with companies supporting Israel if any. He asserted this is a violation of law number 21/1964 on boycotting Israel. He said he obtained information that Kuwait’s Health Office in the United Kingdom signed a contract with AXA Company, which supports and cooperates with Israel by investing in the weapons manufacturing sector and Israeli banks supporting illegal settlement on Palestinian land.

If this is true, he wants to know the value of the contract, the factors considered in signing a contract with the aforementioned company, and if the criteria adopted by the Health Ministry include a stipulation on banning contracting with companies supporting Israel. MP Majed Al-Mutairi forwarded queries to the Minister of Social, Family, and Childhood Affairs Sheikh Firas Al-Malik Al-Sabah about the Kuwait Transplant Society. He wants to know the legal basis upon which the society carries out activities in line with law number 55/1987 if the society’s regulations allow it to receive cash from foreign institutions that is banned for public profit organizations if the society signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company if it received cash based on this agreement, number of times the society sent donated organs to other countries if the concerned ministry monitors the society’s payments to the families of donors, and if it is legal for the society to contact foreign institutions and show the information about donors.

Al-Mutairi also asked the minister of commerce and industry about the procedures followed by the Kuwait General Administration of Customs (KGAC) regarding the shipment of human organs to other countries, required approvals for such shipments, institution or department tasked to check and approve such shipments, if KGAC has employees specialized in dealing with such shipments, and if there is coordination between the ministries of Health and Interior on allowing human organ shipments. He explained that his queries are aimed at finding the truth about the alleged legal, financial, and administrative violations; stating that human organs are sold and smuggled in violation of Law No. 55/1987. MP Khalid Al-Tamar asked Minister of Health Ahmed Al-Awadhi about the organizational structure of the Palliative Care Center; the qualifications of employees at the center including the manager, observer, and head of departments; procedures followed in contacting the patient’s family before receiving him at the center, and if the family is banned from contacting the patient’s doctor.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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