Kingdom calls for more efforts to address religious defamation

The Kingdom recently confirmed its commitment to promote and protect human rights as per the principles of Shariah law, with a especial emphasis on security, stability, and prosperity. Authorities consider these are essential factors to support sustainable development and ensure human rights are protected through sound laws and regulations.
The President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission and head of the Saudi delegation in Geneva, Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, addressed the 28th session of the Human Rights Council meeting in that city. During his speech, Al-Aiban called for redoubling efforts to address the growing phenomenon of defamation of religions and religious symbols.
“As part of the overall framework to develop the judiciary system and promote human rights, a royal order was recently issued calling for the formation of an ad hoc committee to prepare a draft code of judicial verdicts based on the Islamic jurisprudence, as well as bylaws for a revised criminal procedures system,” Al-Aiban explained. “The bylaws include special executive provisions for arrest procedures of defendants, as well as procedures for searching individuals and homes as part of investigative processes.”
He said a comprehensive child protection system was also issued, which establishes a system that ensures the protection of individuals under the age of 18, as well as regulations to protect women and children from abuse and domestic violence.
Al-Aiban said King Salman also ordered the additional support of all registered civil society institutions, allocating SR2 billion to support these organizations, as well as 200 millions for the Board of Cooperative Societies. Another 10 million riyals will be allocated to help professional associations, and further generous support will be provided to literary and sports clubs throughout the Kingdom.
“In line with international treaties and cooperative efforts, the Kingdom has provided period reports to respective committees as per these agreements, and is currently working on preparing periodic reports related to the International Covenant for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the International Covenant for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,” he added.
As for the Kingdom’s position in light of increased terrorism threats, Al-Aiban stated work is ongoing to address the increasing rise in extremism and called for the strengthening of international cooperation and support for such efforts.
He also called for continuous support to the United National Centers for Counter-Terrorism to carry out its work, to which the Kingdom recently provided 100 billion dollars in financial support.
“The Government of Saudi Arabia has condemned the recent terrorist attacks, such as the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine, the burning of Jordanian pilot Moaz Al-Kassasbeh, the killing of Japanese citizens, and the killing of 21 Egyptian citizens in Libya,” said Al-Aidan. “These are examples of terrorist acts that are contrary to the principles of Islam, which calls for justice, human protection, and tolerance.”
Al-Aiban went on to discuss the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and the killing of civilian women and children, calling the situation “one of the worst human rights violations of our time.” He said the torture, demolition, settlement expansion, and Judaization of Jerusalem has stripped Palestinian people of their most basic right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and is clearly a violation of international human rights.
On the situation in Syria, Al-Aidan asked for more support from the international community to help the country out its current quagmire. “The international community is standing idle as the Syrian people suffer from heinous crimes at the hands of an illegitimate regime, which is still waging brutal attacks against thousands of innocent people, mostly children, women, and elderly people,” the envoy said.
According to the Saudi representative, the main reason for the emergence of armed terrorist groups in Syria is the international community’s inability to take a decisive stand to put an end to the brutal crimes committed by the Syrian regime.