Saudi Arabia on the brink of being elected to the United Nations Council human rights counciland campaigners have warned that the measures will undermine the ability to seek justice for rights abuses and represent a “slap in the face” for many victims of the Saudi regime.
The Saudi government is trying to portray itself as a reformed country that has made strides on gender equality and human rights, but its record on both has been heavily criticized by activists.
Saudi border guards are accused of killing hundreds of Ethiopians attempting to cross from Yemen in 2022-2023, a move that critics say could amount to crimes against humanity. However, the country has yet to account for responsibility for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal. Khashoggi.
More than 198 people have been executed in the country so far this year, the highest number since 1990, including individuals. portrayed as a political protester By Amnesty International.
The regime has also sentenced many women to long prison sentences, many in secret trials, for using social media to advocate for more rights and freedoms for women.
One of them, Manahel Al Otaibi, 30, used social media to call for an end to rules requiring women to get permission from a male relative to marry or travel. Ta. She was later accused of leading a propaganda campaign that incited girls to denounce religious principles and rebel against customs, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Unfortunately, human rights organizations In March, Saudi Arabia was chosen to chair a United Nations commission aimed at promoting gender equality and strengthening women's rights around the world.
On Wednesday, The United Nations General Assembly plans to elect Eighteen new members will be added to the Human Rights Council for a three-year term starting January 2025. According to human rights groups, small competition Because of the location.
Louis Charbonneau, UN Executive Director at Human Rights Watch, said: “The Saudi victory marks the end of Saudi abuses, including the hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers killed trying to cross the Yemen-Saudi border. “It will be a slap in the face to many victims.” , victims of war crimes committed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, and the family of Jamal Khashoggi.
“If Saudi Arabia wins a seat, human rights-minded Council members will work hard to prevent it and other human rights-abusing governments from undermining the Council's efforts to expose and address rights abuses around the world,” he said. We should work on it.”
The Saudi embassy in London has been contacted for comment.
