JEDDAH, 19 May — Saudi Arabia yesterday lashed out at human rights organizations, accusing them of applying double standard when it comes to Muslims.
“It is surprising that these organizations apply a double-standard policy in their positions and judgments on nations around the world,” Justice Minister Abdullah Al-Sheikh told Al-Jazirah Arabic daily.
He called for the establishment of an Islamic organization for the defense of human rights, especially to protect the rights of Muslims.
“When Muslims are faced with a problem, these bodies fail to address the issue appropriately. If they do, they activate face-saving exercises only,” the minister said.
But when non-Muslims are faced with a problem, “we find these organizations launching sensational campaigns for causes which may not deserve such attention,” Al-Sheikh added.
The minister blasted the rights watchdogs for criticizing the application of Islamic law in the Kingdom, accusing them of having a missionary agenda.
“We should not forget that some of the human rights organizations have (Christian) missionary goals which they implement through their programs and activities,” he said.
The Kingdom applies Shariah, or Islamic law, imposing the death penalty for murder, rape, apostasy, armed robbery, drug trafficking and repeated drug use, and the amputation of hands for thieves.
The application of Islamic penalties has had “tremendous positive results in achieving security and preserving the interests of the Kingdom,” Al-Sheikh said.
He added that organizations that protest against the application of Islamic law against convicted criminals remain at the same time silent at the killing of thousands of people in many parts of the world “for no reason.”
Last month, the Kingdom said it was in the final stages of setting up two human rights commissions, one government-run and the other a non-governmental body.
It has also signed four out of six international human rights covenants and said it was planning to sign the remaining two soon.
Saudi Arabia has modified laws on criminal procedures, lawyers and defense rights before the courts, in a major revamp of its justice system.
Asked why the government was not implementing the Shariah on all convicted thieves, he said there are certain conditions which apply to that particular law.
“The Shariah encourages the avoidance of punishments as much as is possible,” he added.
Speaking about complaints of long administrative procedures at the ministry, Al-Sheikh said such procedures were necessary to protect the public interest.
“Many people want to get things done without any difficulties. However, we must consider that their cases are linked to that of others.”
However, at the same time he emphasized the ministry’s determination to facilitate and expedite procedures. He said the complication of procedures at the ministry had been caused on many occasions by the non-cooperation and negligence of citizens, who often fail to present all the documents related to their case.
Referring to the complaint that most employees at the ministry and Shariah courts do not strictly follow the official working hours, he said: “I am not here to defend the wrongdoings in my ministry. At the same time, I would like to point out that most rumors that are spread about public and private departments turn out not to be true.”
