JEDDAH, 6 April 2004 — Saudi Arabia’s judicial system is independent, says Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.
“The judiciary is an independent authority and is not controlled by anybody except God and His book,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after opening a seminar on “The Judiciary and Justice Systems in the Kingdom” on Sunday, Prince Sultan denied that Saudi lawyers were suffering because laws were not being applied to everyone. “Our doors are open to lawyers. They can come and discuss their problems if they have any,” he added.
Earlier, addressing the seminar’s opening session, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti and chairman of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, blasted Western media reports linking Islam with terrorism.
“Is it not an injustice to accuse the nation of Islam of terrorism and aggression?” the mufti said.
He said the Islamic judicial system considered ruler and ruled as well as rich and poor equally. “Justice is the hallmark of Islam,” he added.
He also stressed that Islam protects human rights.
Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan, chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, said the fact that the Kingdom’s judicial system is based on Shariah ensured security and stability in the country.
