RIYADH, 11 October 2003 — Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Arafa, chairman of the Islamic affairs and human rights committee at the Shoura Council, has said his committee will work in cooperation with the two human rights organizations the government has proposed.
“We are now waiting for the formation of the two organizations, and I hope that will happen soon,” Arafa told Arab News. “The three bodies will then work together to realize their common objectives,” he added.
Arafa said the regulations related to the two organizations — one private and the other governmental — would be issued soon after their formation. “People will then know how to deal with them,” he explained.
According to Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd has approved a proposal to set up a private human rights committee.
“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 as to be consistent with the basic system of governance, which focuses on human rights,” the prince said.
Prince Saud said the private rights body would be completely independent. “It will not be under anyone’s control,” the prince added. Prince Saud denied the rights body was being set up “under external pressure”, saying the idea was first raised three years ago.
The Kingdom hosts its first human rights conference in Riyadh on Monday.
