The United Nations criticized Saudi Arabia for its record on human rights, which included the death penalty, women’s rights, speech prosecutions, and the reported massacre of migrants at its border with Yemen. More than 50 measures in favor of women have already been enacted, according to the Saudi Arabian delegation at the kingdom’s first official assessment before the UN Human Rights Council since November 2018.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The delegation was informed that Saudi Arabia no longer uses flogging as a form of punishment, that courts are impartial, and that foreign laborers are now afforded greater legal protections. The chairperson of the Saudi National Human Rights Commission, Hala Al Tuwaijri, stated in translated remarks that “these developments and progress have been relentless.”
She referenced the Vision 2030 plan, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to modernize Saudi society and establish a post-oil economy, as an “unprecedented period of development especially when it comes to human rights.” After a three and a half hour discussion, however, a broad range of countries called for more to be done. Germany’s representative, Kristina Huck, stated that while her country applauded Saudi Arabia for its “extensive efforts to improve women’s rights,” it also pointed out that there were “serious restrictions” on the freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press.
Participation of dozens of countries
Saudi Arabia has been pressed over and again to define terrorism in light of cybercrime laws that permit prosecution of state criticism. The United States was one of the few critics to specifically mention a claim made by Human Rights Watch the previous year on the deaths at the border.
According to U.S. ambassador to the Human Rights Council Michèle Taylor, Saudi Arabia has been asked to “undertake a comprehensive, transparent investigation of all allegations that Saudi security forces are killing and abusing migrants crossing the Yemeni border, cease any abuses, ensure accountability for any abuses or violations, and issue a public investigation report.” In addition to endorsing the removal of the “remaining privileges of male guardianship that still impeded progress, empowerment, and equality of women,” Austria echoed American concerns on the murders of migrants. Al Tuwaijri responded later, stating that Saudi officials collaborated with the International Organization for Migration, which is headquartered in Geneva, UN, “to ensure proper monitoring of our borders and to ensure that the human rights of those crossing our borders are upheld.”
Key areas of critique
Iceland suggested modifying legislation to make marital rape illegal and legalizing “same sex conduct between consenting adults,” while Australia expressed worries about “exploitation of migrant and foreign workers and lack of transparency in judicial proceedings.” Concerns about the lack of protection for domestic workers, gender-based violence, and fear of retaliation against media professionals and civil society activists were expressed by a wide spectrum of nations. Qatar, Bahrain, and Morocco were among Saudi Arabia’s allies. Yemen thanked the monarchy for its “fight against corruption which undermines the protection of human rights,” while Li Yujie, the delegate from China, lauded “efforts and achievements for promotion and protection of human rights.” Saudi Arabia has come under fire for allegedly “sportswashing” in an attempt to draw attention away from its human rights record. Examples of this include its massive investment in sports, which led to the creation of the LIV Golf project, luring celebrities like Cristiano Ronaldo to its domestic soccer league, and preparing to host the men’s World Cup in 2034 and the Asian Cup in 2027. Though Jordan, a neighboring country, proposed sporting activities sponsored by the monarchy may “promote the culture of human rights,” there was no mention of sportswashing.
Saudi Arabia’s response
In order to prepare for the meeting, the Human Rights Council reviewed comprehensive reports from Human Rights Watch, U.N. agencies, and the Saudi Arabian government. It established a goal of sending a report outlining the debate on Monday by February 9. The so-called “Universal Periodic Review,” which all 193 UN member states are required to participate in every four years, on Monday featured criticism from member nations over violations of the Saudi-Emirati coalition’s involvement in the Yemen conflict.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bandar al-Aiban is the chairman of the Saudi delegation in Geneva and also leads the Human Rights Commission of the nation. In addition to providing a report on the nation’s efforts to uphold its international human rights duties, the delegation will address inquiries and criticisms over its record from nations all around the world.