Saudi Arabia’s human rights progress deservedly recognized by UN

Jan. 22, 2024, was what can only be considered a historic day for Saudi Arabia regarding the UN’s Universal Periodic Review session. Unfortunately, few people — and, specifically, few Saudis — know what the Universal Periodic Review is or what it entails. Google results define it as “a process through which all UN member states are provided the opportunity to review the human rights records of all other member states.” It meets every four years and examines how many of the recommendations set by member states have actually been accomplished since their last review.

The Saudi organization responsible for preparing, reviewing, researching and working on the report is the Human Rights Commission, led by a very capable, competent and hard-working woman, Dr. Hala Al-Tweijri, whose administrative skills include teamwork, praise, encouragement and a very contagious smile. Those working in the high echelons of her administration are like-minded and have the same qualities regarding work.

I had the great privilege and pleasure of accompanying the human rights delegation to Geneva to participate — in my humble and minor capacity — in the deliberations that took place at the UN. Some 135 countries intervened in the interactive dialogue reviewing and commenting on Saudi Arabia’s report.

For years, Saudi Arabia has been on the receiving end of continuous negative comments by international organizations, attacking everything from its governance and faith to its traditions and the social status of women, discrediting its sociopolitical power and belittling its global economic importance. For years, Saudis have had to defend, justify and explain who they are, what their beliefs are and why they are the way they are, regardless of the fact that, as Saudis, we have never intervened or questioned other nations or cultures and have always respected and accepted diversity and differences. This approach reflects one of the most tolerant verses in the Qur’an: “O mankind, indeed, We have created you from a male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.”

Country after country commended its reforms, applauded its social progress and complimented the advances made

Hoda Al-Helaissi

And here, at the UN in Geneva, for the first time, nation after nation praised Saudi Arabia. Country after country commended its reforms, applauded its social progress and complimented the advances made regarding women’s empowerment, before commenting on the changes they believe still need to be implemented — all of which were either minor, already realized or based on religion and therefore difficult to execute.

Here are a few examples of the positive comments made by different countries.

Sweden welcomed the progress made regarding socioeconomic rights for women and girls, as well as the efforts aimed at codifying the legal system.

Spain commended the progress made, the reforms in the labor law and the empowerment of women, allowing them to access all areas of work, including the judicial, military and security sectors, and welcomed the efforts made to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as protecting their rights.

The Russian Federation welcomed the work done by the Kingdom to implement the recommendations submitted to it during the previous review, as well as its efforts in developing national legislation to promote and protect human rights, expanding opportunities for women’s participation in the labor market, endorsing equal pay between the sexes and combating discrimination and hatred. It also commended the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting and protecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly.

New Zealand acknowledged the Kingdom’s continuous work to promote women’s rights through Vision 2030 and the progress made in economic empowerment based on gender equality.

Mexico appreciated the Kingdom’s national report and welcomed its human rights reforms, such as those made to the Travel Documents Law and the Civil Status Law.

Italy welcomed the important progress made regarding women’s rights and the measures taken to improve the rights of foreign workers.

Croatia praised the legislative reforms included in Vision 2030, specifically the measures taken to address and prevent child labor, the efforts made in protecting children from neglect and those taken to combat discrimination at work.

The UK recognized the development achieved by the Kingdom since the last review, including in terms of women’s rights and opportunities.

The US acknowledged the efforts of Saudi Arabia in modernizing its economy and society.

Argentina praised the progress made in the field of combating people trafficking and child labor.

The beauty of this modernization is that it is specific to Saudi Arabia and not an imitation of any other country

Hoda Al-Helaissi

And the praise went on. To hear such praise and witness such recognition at the level of the UN not only instilled in me feelings of pride, satisfaction and fulfillment, but also made me further appreciate the immense efforts made by our leadership to modernize and to achieve these reforms in the space of a few years. Let us also add that the beauty of this modernization is that it is specific to Saudi Arabia and not an imitation of any other country, valuing our faith, identity and traditions.

It is also a fact that these changes would not have been possible had it not been for the concerted collaboration and cooperation of all public and private sector entities, which have been working together to orchestrate a successfully functioning mechanism, the goals of which are for the benefit of the country and its people.

The work done by the Human Rights Commission throughout the years has been challenging to say the least and the general public is unaware of what it entails. I saw up close the teamwork and diligence of those working behind the scenes, the camaraderie paralleling the focus and intensity of the work and the sense of responsibility felt by each team member. I left with a tremendous feeling of hope.

• Hoda Al-Helaissi has been a member of the Shoura Council since 2013. She is also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee within the Shoura.