“Saudi Arabia rejects rights criticism after flogging of blogger"

“Saudi Arabia rejects rights criticism after flogging of blogger

 

Reuters/Reuters - A picture of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi (C) is seen between others photos of prisoners in Saudi Arabia during a demonstration for his release from jail outside the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in …more 

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia defended its human rights record on Saturday in its first public reaction to international criticism over last year's sentencing of liberal Saudi blogger Raif Badawi to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam".

The first 50 of Badawi's lashes were carried out in January, prompting strong criticism of the kingdom's rights record in Western countries, including its laws on political and religious expression and the status of Saudi women. 

"Saudi Arabia expresses its intense surprise and dismay at what is being reported by some media about the case of citizen Raif Badawi and his sentence," said a statement carried on state media and attributed to an unnamed "foreign ministry official".

The statement said Saudi courts were independent and that the kingdom's constitution ensured the protection of human rights because it was based on Islamic Sharia law.

"Saudi Arabia at the same time emphasizes that it does not accept interference in any form in its internal affairs," the statement added.

A Jeddah court handed Badawi his sentence after he criticized the Saudi clergy in a blog and called for changes in the way religion is practiced in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, the United States' top Arab ally and birthplace of Islam, follows the strict Wahhabi Sunni Muslim school and gives the clergy control over its justice system.

It does not permit the public worship of other faiths or allow them to maintain places of worship inside the country. In a new law last year it included atheism as a terrorist offence. 

It uses the death penalty for offences including blasphemy, apostasy and witchcraft. The kingdom has beheaded 40 people so far in 2015, rights watchdog Amnesty International said this week, based on local media reports. 

Political dissidents have been given long jail terms in the past year after repeatedly raising human rights issues in international media and urging the absolute monarchy to introduce elections.

The kingdom is the only country in which women are forbidden to drive. Saudi women also need the permission of a male guardian, usually a close family member, to conduct many aspects of official business, including travel overseas. 

(Reporting by Angus McDowall, Editing by Gareth Jones)”

 

KINGDOM

Guardianship abuse has serious implications: Study

Saudi Gazette report


RIYADH — Men who exercise absolute control over the rights of women are considered one of the detrimental problems facing Saudi society, according to a new study.

This tendency represents the harshest form of injustice against women with psychological repercussions.

Despite the advice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to Muslims to be kind to their women, some male guardians hold an uncompromising attitude toward women under their care, be they their daughters, sisters or wives, without any justifiable reasons. Such intransigence demoralizes women and results in the loss of their financial rights, the study points out.

Some women continue to suffer from the abuse of their fathers or brothers who refuse them permission to marry, to work, or even to continue their education.

Some of these guardians may agree to some matters that concern women, but often in return for something. Women are sometimes forced to forfeit their salaries to achieve what they desire.

It should be stressed that in Islam a guardian should not exceed his rights and inflict harm upon a woman.

The judicial system states that if a guardian is abusive, the judge has the right to relieve him of his guardianship.

Fatimah Saleh, an elementary school teacher, said her father was very intransigent and rejected her suitors, claiming all those who had proposed to her were unsuitable. She is now 45 years old, and no one is proposing to her anymore.

After her father died, her brother followed in his steps for the sake of her salary, as she has become an ATM cash dispenser for him.

Shorooq Mansour, the only daughter among six siblings, said her father refused her a decent education. When she was 18, she was married to a relative who supported her, and enrolled in literacy classes, where she excelled. Now she has completed her college education and is awaiting to be employed.

Meshael Fayez, a housewife and mother of three, said she suffered a lot because of her brothers after her father's death. Her brothers refused to get her married unless she forfeits her right to inheritance.

At first, she rejected their condition, but as time passed, she complied. She is now happily leading a married life.

Sarah Mohammad said she had won a scholarship to continue her medical education abroad, but her father refused to accompany her because he was too busy, and her brothers would not let her travel alone.

She was dismayed as many of her friends were supported by their family members to continue their education abroad.

Nouf Faleh said she was finally able to cancel her brother's guardianship after he profited from her salary for two years.

She lately got married as a court acted as her guardian and completed the marriage procedures.

Hessah Helal, a housewife, said she was married four times, and her father and brothers did not allow her to get married again.

She filed a lawsuit at a local court, and in the first court session, the judge warned her father and brothers against being intransigent or he would cancel their guardianship. This has allowed her to marry again.

Dr. Mazen Al-Fraih, a family consultant, said one of the most common forms of abuse is the intransigence of the fathers in choosing their daughters' husbands. Some fathers do not inquire about the would-be husband's manners, and religious practices. Other fathers conceal some of the would-be groom’s negative characteristics, just to get rid of their daughters or for the sake of the dowry.

When such a daughter decides to return home, her father exerts pressure on her and prevents her from returning home, forcing her to remain with her husband.

Al-Fraih confirmed that a woman can change her guardian when necessary. If a judge realizes that her guardian is abusing her, or inflicting harm upon her, he can free the woman from such guardianship.