JEDDAH, 8 October 2003 — Some 35 research papers, including six from women, will be presented at a human rights conference Interior Minister Prince Naif is scheduled to open in Riyadh on Monday.
Abdullah Hazza, secretary-general of the conference, said the event aimed to highlight Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and explain aspects of human rights in peace and wartime in light of the Shariah.
Princess Hussa bint Salman will present a paper on “The Kingdom’s Position on Human Rights” while Noura Khaled Al-Saad will speak on “Women’s Rights: Between Law and Application.” Dr. Khadeeja Abdul Majed Hassan’s paper will focus on “Prevention of Violence Against Women.”
The conference, the first of its kind hosted by Riyadh, comes against the backdrop of plans to set up two human rights organizations in the country. It is organized by the Saudi Red Crescent Society in cooperation with the interior, justice and foreign ministries.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd has approved a proposal to set up a private human rights committee.
“It will be completely independent, and King Fahd is keen to guarantee its independence. It will not be under anyone’s control,” Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has said. Prince Saud denied the rights body was being set up “under external pressure”, saying the idea was first raised three years ago.
“A number of Saudis requested the formation of a private human rights body and their request was accepted by the king,” he said.
There will be another, government-run human rights body, the prince said, adding that each organization will perform a different role.
The government rights body will be charged with implementing “government decisions regarding human rights, and to reformulate local laws so they are consistent with the basic system of governance, which focuses on human rights,” he said.
