E/CN.4/1997/71/Add.2 page 2 Introduction Purpose of the mission 1. The Special Rapporteur visited Kuwait from 17 to 27 November 1996 at the invitation of the Kuwaiti Government and pursuant to his mandate under Commission on Human Rights resolution 1996/21, endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in its decision 1996/259. 2. The mission was undertaken after an exchange of correspondence, and following consultations, between the Kuwaiti Government and the Special Rapporteur as a result of allegations which he had received concerning racial discrimination and xenophobia with regard to migrant workers, particularly housekeepers of Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Philippine origin. 1/ The observations of the Kuwaiti Government were published in report A/50/476 (paras. 14-15) and submitted to the General Assembly and the Commission for consideration. The Special Rapporteur's attention has also been drawn to the situation of the Bidun. 3. It then seemed useful for him to visit Kuwait in order to meet the country's political leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the communities concerned. The Special Rapporteur also talked with officials of the embassies of Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka who were responsible for labour-related matters. A detailed list of the individuals and bodies whom the Special Rapporteur met is provided in annex to this report. General comments 4. It must first be emphasized that the mission was carried out in an atmosphere of complete frankness and was facilitated by the willingness of the Kuwaiti authorities to engage in dialogue. The psychological effects of the Gulf war were still evident during these discussions and considerably complicated the task of approaching and understanding the question of migrant workers and that of the Bidun, who were variously described as undocumented persons, stateless persons and illegal residents. 5. The Kuwaitis are very concerned by the situation of the POWs 2/ held in Iraq. This point was anxiously raised at every meeting. Some feared that the question of human rights was being raised as a diversion or with a view to “destabilizing Kuwait, which is the most democratic country in the region and the one which shows the greatest respect for human rights”. They were assured that such was not the purpose of the Special Rapporteur's visit, which he had made at the Government's invitation as a result of the complaints of racial discrimination and xenophobia transmitted to him. 6. In order fully to understand the manifestations and incidents of racial discrimination and xenophobia in Kuwait, it is important to bear in mind the country's demographic, social and cultural situation. 7. Of an estimated total population of about 2 million, there are approximately 700,000 Kuwaitis and 1,300,000 foreigners. 3/ The Kuwaitis are a minority in their own country, for it is estimated that there are nearly twice as many foreigners as Kuwaitis, including some 120,000 Bidun.