The new head of the Saudi Human Right Commission (this is the government-sponsored human rights organization) is wasting no time in framing the upcoming UN’s Universal Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia’s human rights practices. While extolling the improvements in the country’s practices—and there have been significant changes—he acknowledges that the country will get criticized for it failings—also significant. I think he’s applying a bit of professional spin if he sees the situation as “70% favorable”, though. I’d put it more like 35% or 40%. From the uneven legal status of women to the total lack of religious freedom, the shortcomings are major.
Mr. Al-Aiban is new on the job. He is still, I’m sure, learning the ropes (or as bureaucrats generally put it, ‘learning where the bodies are buried’). I’m more than willing to give him time and look forward to his response to the UN report when it is issued. That will give a clear indication of just how he sees his mission.
New human rights chief welcomes UN’s review process
Walaa Hawari I Arab NewsRIYADH: The new chief of the governmental Human Rights Commission (HRC), Bandar Al-Aiban, said in an interview with Arab News yesterday that Saudi Arabia welcomes criticism and, “looks forward to rectifying the possible points” made in a recent review of the status of human rights in the Kingdom by the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Al-Aiban, a former Shoura Council member, said the Kingdom is going through a period of change, and that the people are full of hope and determination to effect it.
“I was not able to fully review the responses and criticism that was addressed to the Kingdom after the UPR review in Geneva,” said Al-Aiban, referring to the so-called Universal Periodic Review, a mechanism of OHCHR to review the human rights conditions of all 192 members of the UN every four years, which is conducted by the UN Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia is currently a member of this council.
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February:17:2009 - 15:48
I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt. This is far better than the tired old “invasion of sovereignty” argument often put forth by states with big human rights problems — like Sudan. Mexico has often rejected criticisms as a violation of its sovereignty. It’s good to see the Saudis not playing that spin. I too thought the half-full, half-empty statement kind of weird, but, hey 30% problems is still pretty big, even if it’s subjectively inaccurate.
February:17:2009 - 18:40
I’m giving everyone involved in the shake-up/shuffle the benefit of the doubt, even those who had questionable records in other departments. ‘Benefit of the doubt’ does not equal ‘blank check with no expiration date’ however.
I’m most curious to see how the new head of the Shoura Council operates.