Asharq Alawsat reports on the efforts of the Saudi National Association for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia to inform the public—and detainees—of their legal rights. The association has produced a pamphlet, which it is distributing in prisons, telling them what the laws require and forbid in terms of detention and arrest. The paper usefully provides many of the examples.

The pamphlet needs to be distributed among law enforcement offices, courts, and other groups who see themselves in a position of authority to enforce laws. I wonder if Saudi blogger Fuad Al-Farhan got copy?

‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign Launched in Saudi Arabia
Turki Al-Saheil

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- The National Association for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia has launched an introductory campaign to inform people of their 39 legal rights in cases of arrest, investigation, inspection and trial in the form of a booklet entitled ‘Know Your Rights’ published in the Arabic language.

An official at the National Association for Human Rights told Asharq Al-Awsat that they are about to review draft versions of the information booklet in other languages for the benefit of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, outlining the rights of the accused.

The association based these rights on the set of rules regarding criminal procedure that was issued under royal decree on August 22, 2006 at a time when severe criticism was leveled against several forces for failing to adhere to the law.

The human rights association stated in the preface of the booklet that the penal system “respects the rights of citizens and residents and stresses the necessity to deal with them in an appropriate manner that preserves their dignity and upholds respect for their material and moral rights and prohibits violation of their freedom and whatever may harm them, their money or their honor.”
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