RIYADH, 28 June 2005 — Two Saudi women journalists have submitted a petition in support of women driving to the Kingdom’s National Association for Human Rights. The journalists, who requested anonymity, submitted the petition, signed by 102 Saudi men and women, to the association’s deputy head, Hamad Al-Majed, on Saturday. He told the journalists that the association would look into the matter, saying it would be discussed next week.

“The idea for the petition came after the statement in the press by the interior minister,” said one of the journalists. “The petition was signed by housewives, businessmen and businesswomen, men and women teachers, men and women government and private sector employees and even all members of some Saudi families,” she said. She said those who signed the petition were not from only one area but from all over the Kingdom. She also said that the establishment of the human rights body in the Kingdom had “raised people’s awareness of their basic rights.”

The journalist pointed out that Recommendation 13 of the Third National Forum for Dialogue held in Madinah to discuss women’s issues was: “Specialized bodies are to be authorized to study public transportation that is suitable for women and to suggest suitable means of transportation to enable women to travel or commute with ease.” She said that up to now, nothing had been done in terms of implementing the recommendation.

When asked about the attempt by Shoura Council member, Muhammad Al-Zulfa, to raise the issue for discussion in the Council, she said she had a great deal of respect for him for taking such a brave step despite strong opposition from some. “When Dr. Al-Zulfa recommended a discussion pertaining to women driving in the Kingdom, he believed there was no law forbidding it but in fact, there is such a law. In addition, another law was passed a few years ago that forbids women from driving in towns and villages. That law was passed after a Saudi woman who was driving had an accident and injured another person.” This particular law stipulates that if a woman is caught driving in a town or village, her guardian must be summoned and, in the presence of the police and representatives from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, he must sign a pledge that the woman will not drive again.

The petition emphasized the need for scientific research and surveys to highlight the problems with transportation experienced by many Saudi women and also to take into consideration the following two points:

— That many Saudi women who ask for the right to drive or who support women driving feel humiliated because they feel they are not trusted. This violates what Islam teaches about sexual equality and the responsibilities of both sexes. In addition, in order to carry out their normal lives, women often have no choice but to rely upon foreign men to transport them.

— Doubts about the capabilities of Saudi police and security officers to protect women drivers, handle possible cases of harassment of women or cases in which women violate traffic laws.

The petition pointed out that many Saudi families cannot afford to pay for a driver and that transportation has become a necessity. It mentioned the dangers of foreign drivers who learn the most private family details and who may look upon themselves as family guardians, especially in cases where the family has no male members. There is a further danger from unscrupulous drivers who may exceed their responsibilities and may, in some cases, commit various crimes.

The petition went on,: “We say to those who are against women driving that they should fear God and look at the consequences of letting foreign drivers into our homes, consequences they are responsible for and will be asked about on the Day of Judgment.”