Saudi Arabia’s Deplorable Human Rights Record
Aby June 13th, 2007
Saudi Arabia, the holy land of pilgrimage for Muslims all over the world, is not so holy when it comes to humanity and justice. A look at the real facts makes us see that it is not as moderate as vested interests would like to have us believe. Gross human rights violations are a norm by the government, police and muttawa (religious police) in the name of Islam. The violation of basic human rights were increased in the wake of 11 September 2001 attacks on the USA, aided by its secretive criminal justice system which totally disregards freedom of thought and civil liberties. Critics are silenced by violent means, women are discriminated against in every sphere of their lives, refugees continue to live in camps as virtual prisoners.
A woman’s rights activist talks about the status of women in Saudi Arabia
Discrimination Against Women
The reality of discrimination against women was brought in all nakedness to the world by the death of 15 girls and the injury of dozens of others during a fire at a school in Mecca housing 800 girls. The girls were stopped from escaping and beaten back by the police into the blazing building because they were not wearing the correct Islamic uniform which shocked and appalled the entire world but we soon forgot the incident. Women are still discriminated as they are not given representation in the government, no legal counsel in trials which are almost always manned by men, no scope for employment or higher education for self reliance. Domestic violence against women is legally and religiously sanctioned. In case of serious crimes against women like rape or murder, the women rarely get justice as women who are raped are punished for adultery with stoning or lashes. In case of murder the accused can make a plea that the woman was blasphemous against Allah and/or his prophets and thus escape punishment.
Torture and Ill Treatment in Detention
Children, women and men alike are detained, tortured and beaten by the Saudi authorities for protests against the government or other crimes of conscience. One former possible prisoner of conscience released in March said that he had been shackled hand and foot, beaten and deprived of sleep. The lawyers of Alexander Mitchell and William Sampson stated that that their clients had suffered physical and mental torture during their interrogation. No investigations into such allegations were known to have been carried out.
Flogging
Judicial floggings are conducted by the police on teenage boys suspected of ‘immoral behaviour’ for ‘offences’ as minor as flirting which we take for granted in the civilised world. Women face flogging for being raped, men face flogging for pre-marital sex and ‘behaving like a woman’.
Bodily mutilation
Bodily mutilations like amputation of hands and feet, extraction of teeth and such are conducted in Saudi Arabia as judicial punishments for stealing and as retribution. The punishments are carried both on nationals and foreigners living in Saudi Arabia.
Death Penalty
Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries in the world which still uses death penalty as a punishment. The exact number of prisoners sentenced to death is not known as the criminal justice system in Saudi Arabia operates with the secrecy of a military system. Death sentences are carried out for offences like extramarital sex, homicides, drug traficking, revolts against the government, blaspehmy against Islam, homosexuality, etc.
More References on Human Rights Violation in Saudi Arabia -
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When in rome , do as the Romans.
This is the usual cry most of us Europeans like to make to those who migrate or visit our lands. Yet when it comes to other countries, many feel that somehow we have a right to preach how others should live, and the kind of laws they should live under, talk about hypocracy.
The Saudi’s have their own laws and customs, like it or not. The Dutch allow people to use cannibis in certain designated places, yet in Britian its illegal,But we agree to disagree. Yet when it comes to non-European cultures we are quick to judge, thinking of ourselves superior( colonialism in a new guise?).
very rude country!!!!!!! may it had advanced in economy but i think the country had forgotten the basic requirement for the survival of humankind “freedom”. let me tell u one thing “human can exist without a religion ,but a religion cannot exist without a human” if the country does not change its attitude. then its not very far that the so called islamic rules may be imposed on animals and trees because there would be no more humans left.
I agree with you on that and that is a code I abide by, always. However, when we are not in Rome, we have the right to criticise cultural/religious practices against the excesses of humanity. I made a number of diplomatic visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Iran during my UN years and based on my limited experiences with people there, I can say that the average Saudi or Iranian is not happy with their government. And unlike western democracies, they have no way to do anything about it. The authoritarian regimes that control the government in both countries discourage expression of dissent or any form of rebellion against the government.
You are free to judge, criticise or express ideological criticism of any European nation, people or cultural practice. You will not be prosecuted for it, presuming that you do not resort to vandalism or violence. However the same right may not be extended to you if you were to criticise the Saudi government in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arbian woman are treated badly they have to were that thing over they head all day long.
I actually heard from one of my International Relations professors last year whom has very close ties to Saudi Arabia, and his viewpoint was that the Saudi government would sooner than later become unstable and collapse which would be extremely bad news for the US. It is kind of like what is happening in Pakistan. We back the dictator of the country and have semi-peaceful relations with that government, but once the dictator is ousted, the average citizen who hated that dictator, and who has grown to hate the U.S. for everything it stands for and its partnership with the tyrannical government takes power. Then he unleashes an all out hate campaign against the U.S. government AND it’s people. When will the U.S. government learn from it’s past mistakes? Some times I feel as if an inexperienced and young person such as myself could do a better job at maintaining peaceful foreign relationships with other countires.
@Aby
‘ we have the right to criticise cultural/religious practices against the excesses of humanity’.
When France bans Headscarves in school, yet crucufixes are allowed. those who protest at this are told to ’shut up or move to Iran’.
‘I can say that the average Saudi or Iranian is not happy with their government’.
CIA backs coup in 1953, deposes democratic goverment, replaces it with the Shah(dictator), end result is the current situation in Iran. Saudi monarchy propped up by EU and USA, who do you think the people of Saudi Arabia really hate?
@ M.Robinson
I can honestly tell you who the Saudi people really hate? The hate Israel and America much more than they hate their own government and i can tell you why because of Israeli unfair treatment of Palestinian people, stealing their land and focibly occupying them - America because their unfair foreign policy and blind support for Israel.
Secondly their own government for not listening to people on the street level and not carrying out what the people want and instead being the puppet of America and the European countries.