‘Tangible’ Saudi progress in upholding rights recognized

Saudi Arabia received positive recognition of its human rights record from the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Friday, said Bandar bin Muhammad Al-Iban, president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission.
Saudi Arabia was overwhelmingly praised for its “expansion, enforcement and protection” of human rights by over 90 countries out of 102 following an extensive review session of the Kingdom’s record in this regard, he said in a statement carried by SPA.
During its Friday’s session, the Council approved the final results of the Saudi human rights record review. The Council reviews all UN members every four years.
When reviewing the Kingdom’s human rights record earlier this week at the UN body, Al-Iban said that the Kingdom has made “tangible progress” in the past four years, upholding rights in line with Islamic Shariah.
Expressing his happiness of such a worldwide positive feedback, he said Saudi Arabia would continue to enforce and protect human rights at all levels while “maintaining its identity, culture, national interests, welfare of its citizens.
He said the Kingdom is inspired by solid Shariah foundations, which reach out for justice, equality, and tolerance.
Saudi Arabia is determined to develop and add to its human rights record through enforcement and protection of such rights and positive interaction with international organizations without compromising the foundation of Shariah, he added.
Al-Iban expressed thanks to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, and Crown Prince Salman for their keenness to uphold and maintain human rights in the Kingdom through their relentless support.
He also thanked Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal for his support to the commission. He highlighted the efforts of the Saudi delegation at the United Nations European Headquarters in Geneva for facilitating the mission to present the Saudi human rights record to the world.
Al-Iban called on Saudi media and “fair” international media to objectively and accurately cover ongoing progress of human rights in the Kingdom.