A United Nation human rights watchdog On Friday, October 07, 2016 called on Saudi Arabia
to end “severe” discrimination against girls and child stoning executions.
to end “severe” discrimination against girls and child stoning executions.
The body also urged the country to repeal laws that allow
stoning, amputation, flogging and execution of children.
stoning, amputation, flogging and execution of children.
Bandar Bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Saudi Human Rights
Commission, said that the committee on the Rights of the Child condemned the
Saudi-led coalition’s air strikes in Yemen.
Commission, said that the committee on the Rights of the Child condemned the
Saudi-led coalition’s air strikes in Yemen.
It said that air strikes killed and maimed hundreds of
children, and its “use of starvation” as a tactic in that war against
Iran-backed Houthis.
children, and its “use of starvation” as a tactic in that war against
Iran-backed Houthis.
The committee’s 18 independent experts examined the
kingdom’s record of compliance with a U.N. treaty protecting the rights of
people under the age of 18.
kingdom’s record of compliance with a U.N. treaty protecting the rights of
people under the age of 18.
The Saudi delegation to the committee’s review, told the
body that Sharia, Islamic law, was above all laws and treaties.
body that Sharia, Islamic law, was above all laws and treaties.
The U.N. experts voiced deep concern that Riyadh “still does
not recognise girls as full subjects of rights”.
not recognise girls as full subjects of rights”.
That it has continued to severely discriminate (against) them
in law, practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship.
in law, practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship.
“Traditional, religious or cultural attitudes should not be
used to justify violations of their right to equality.
used to justify violations of their right to equality.
“Children of Shi’ite Muslim families and other religious
minorities are persistently discriminated against in their access to schools
and justice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
minorities are persistently discriminated against in their access to schools
and justice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
“Children of over 15 years are tried as adults and can be
executed,after trials falling short of guarantees of due process and a fair
trial,” the UN body said.
executed,after trials falling short of guarantees of due process and a fair
trial,” the UN body said.
