Wednesday, March 16, 2011

RIYADH: A rights group close to the Saudi government Tuesday called for political reforms in the conservative monarchy, including expanding popular participation and fighting graft.

The National Society for Human Rights urged Riyadh to forge ahead with King Abdullah’s vision for political reform, including electing some members of the Shura (Consultative) Council, which is currently appointed.
It called for the creation of an authority to battle corruption, implementing a strategy that has already been approved by the government.

It also called for “strengthening the independence of the judiciary,” protecting judges against interference and holding erring judges to account in order to boost human rights. The society also called for implementing a penal code to guarantee that prisoners who have completed their terms are freed immediately and “security detainees” are allowed to contact their relatives.

Three other human rights organizations operate in Saudi Arabia – two of which are independent and normally express free and liberal opinions while the third is pro-government.

Calls for reform in the kingdom have gained momentum amid sweeping unrest in the Arab world. But calls by cyber activists for protests last Friday failed to secure any support amid an unprecedented security clampdown in Riyadh and other cities.
Last month, over 100 Saudi academics, activists and businessmen called for the establishment of a “constitutional monarchy” and the election of the whole Shura Council. – AFP