“We are in the process of studying these submissions, which include complaints and suggestions on various problems related to human rights,” said Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sheddi, chairman of the Committee on Human Rights.
He added that members of the public are welcome to send their grievances and ideas on issues related to human rights. “They will be useful for our study and we can make use of them for future policy planning and implementation,” he added.
On the instructions of Abdullah Al-Asheikh, chairman of the Shoura Council, an 11-member committee headed by Al-Sheddi was formed early this year to look into human rights abuses in the Kingdom.
Thanking Al-Asheikh for the initiative taken with regard to the formation of the special committee on human rights, Al-Sheddi said members of his committee are carefully scrutinizing all petitions received from the public.
“To clarify matters mentioned in the petitions, we always consult government and nongovernmental agencies outside the Shoura Council to get the needed explanations,” he said, adding that the council also takes advice and assistance from visiting foreign delegations.
He said the council was able to achieve a great deal in attending to the petitions. “We are also looking for a permanent mechanism to provide an effective platform for citizens to deal with human rights issues,” Al-Sheddi said without elaborating.
He said that the committee has endorsed the UN Optional Protocol on the protection of children from sexual exploitation and prevent their participation in armed hostilities. He pointed out that the proposed endorsement with the respective suggestions on the protocol will be presented to the general body by the committee and will subsequently be sent to the Council of Ministers for approval.
Commercial exploitation of children — such as the sale of children, child prostitution, sex tourism and child pornography — are prevalent in many parts of the world.
