With the Aim to Enhance National Security and Ensure the Safe Use and Application of Biometric Technology
Kuwait University Hosts a Symposium Entitled "Legal Dimensions of Biometric Fingerprints in Light of International Agreements, Human Rights and Local Legislation" Presented by Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences

With the aim to enhance national security and ensure the safe use and application of biometric technology, in line with international human rights standards, the Ministry of Interior, represented by Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, in cooperation with Kuwait University, represented by the Office of External Research Collaboration and Consultations in the Research Sector, organized a symposium entitled "Legal Dimensions of Biometric Fingerprints in Light of International Agreements, Human Rights and Local Legislation", under the patronage of Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, on Tuesday morning, 19 November 2024, at the Conference Center in Sabah Al-Salem University City, with the aim of shedding light on the challenges related to the use of these technologies in line with international human rights standards.
The symposium was attended by Acting President of Kuwait University Prof. Osama Al-Saeed, Acting Secretary General of Kuwait University Prof. Mishari Al-Aifan, Assistant Undersecretary for Education and Training Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Sheikh Fawaz Khaled Al-Sabah, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Human Rights Affairs Sheikha Jawaher Al-Sabah, Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultations Prof. Nouriya Al-Kandari, Acting Vice President for Research Dr. Nasser Al-Tanak, Vice President for Planning Prof. Osama Al-Omair, Director of the Center for Quality Control, Scientific Research and Training, Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Samhan, among a number of leading officers from the Ministry of Interior from various sectors, leaders of Kuwait University, and academic staff and employees of Kuwait University.
At the onset, the Director General of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, Brigadier Ali Jassim Al-Wahib, confirmed that this symposium came in accordance with the instructions of Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and his generous patronage, which aims to enhance the common understanding of the legal dimensions of the biometric fingerprint in light of international human rights agreements and local legislation, at a time when the world is witnessing a rapid development in the use of technology to achieve security and promote justice, noting that Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, as a leading national academic scientific edifice, bears a great responsibility in making and graduating men who can be relied upon in all sectors of the Ministry of Interior, as it does not only educate, train, qualify and prepare security competencies, but also seeks to consolidate the values of science and knowledge.
Brigadier Al-Wahib added that this symposium is the first fruit of the joint cooperation between Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences and Kuwait University, represented by the Office of External Research Collaboration and Consultations in the Research Sector, noting that the Research Sector played a prominent role in translating the terms of the agreement conducted between the two parties in April 2024, which resulted in this symposium. This contributed to consolidating knowledge security and enhancing interaction between the two institutions, He also extended thanks and appreciation to the leadership of Kuwait University for hosting this important event, which reflects the university’s keenness to strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation with various national institutions, most notably Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences.
Al-Wahib stressed that Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, through its partnership with Kuwait University, seeks to consolidate its role in spreading knowledge security as an integral part of its vision to achieve security in its comprehensive concept, in a way that establishes applied security concepts, and emphasizes the role of the Academy in participating in national issues, in addition to introducing civil society to this modern concept regarding the legal and legislative guarantees that protect the privacy of individuals and their rights in light of this modern technology and its applications, which contributes to enhancing transparency, raising the level of awareness in society, and strengthening trust between citizens and security institutions.
In turn, Acting President of Kuwait University, Prof. Osama Al-Saeed expressed his pride and honor in Kuwait University as it reaps the fruits of cooperation with Saad Al-Abdullah Academy by hosting the symposium "Legal Dimensions of Biometric Fingerprint in Light of International Human Rights Agreements and Local Legislation" organized by Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences in cooperation with the Research Sector at Kuwait University and under the patronage of Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior, His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, to discuss the legal and legislative dimensions of biometric fingerprint through the discussion sessions accompanying the symposium, which are presented by a group of specialists from various concerned authorities in the country in order to enhance the use of this technology in a safe and effective manner in commitment to social responsibility and the national vision, noting that Kuwait University is the first incubator for many cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with various sectors of the country, which makes it a meeting point for diverse expertise and resources to invest in facing various obstacles and challenges. HE also praised the efforts of the representatives of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy and the Research Sector at Kuwait University in coordinating the holding of this symposium, which aims to raise security awareness within the framework of Kuwait University's mission to serve the community.
During the symposium, Assistant Undersecretary for Education and Training Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Sheikh Fawaz Khaled Al-Sabah, honored Acting President of Kuwait University, Prof. Osama Al-Saeed, for this fruitful cooperation and Kuwait University's distinguished efforts in hosting many agreements and symposia which positively reflect on Kuwaiti society.
The symposium included discussion sessions aimed at raising awareness in society and strengthening trust between citizens and security institutions. The first session was titled "What is the biometric fingerprint, and how does it work", presented by the former Director General of the General Department of Investigations and former Director General of the General Department of Criminal Evidence, retired Lieutenant General Dr. Fahad Al-Dosari. The second session was presented by the Director of the Personality Investigation and Automated Search Department at the General Department of Criminal Evidence at the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Nayef Al-Mutairi, entitled "Objectives of the fingerprint, storage mechanism and privacy protection". The third session discussed "The extent to which the biometric fingerprint reflects on the work of the investigation authority", presented by the Deputy Director of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial Studies and Judge of the Court of Appeal, Counselor Muhammad Al-Duaij.
The fourth session discussed "The Local Legal Framework for Biometric Data Protection in Kuwait", presented by Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Research and Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Law at Kuwait University, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tamimi. The last session was entitled "Local Legislation and the Most Prominent Legal Dimensions of Biometric Fingerprint", presented by the Professor of Criminal Law at Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, Dean of Law, Dr. Dhari Al-Saeed.
 

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