A/HRC/11/23
Page 12
60. Azerbaijan commended recent on-going human rights related reforms (reforms of judicial
system, establishment of Human Rights Commission etc..) as a proof of commitment of Saudi
Arabia to the protection and promotion of human rights. Azerbaijan made the following
recommendations: a) consider the elaboration of specific legislative guidelines for codification of
discretionary penalties and dissemination of such guidelines among all judges, lawyers and
prosecutors concerned; b) continue efforts and endeavours to improve overall human rights
protection in the country.
61. India welcomed the effort to enhance civil society participation by the granting of
authorization for the establishment of a number of NGOs.
62. Kuwait mentioned the important efforts deployed by Saudi Arabia, in coordination with
the international community, to eradicate the scourge of terrorism. It recommended a) benefiting
from Saudi Arabia’s efforts in combating terrorism, b) supporting its efforts to establish an
international centre or agency in collaboration with the United Nations, in the field of combating
terrorism; c) respecting cultural and religious particularities of each society and that Saudi
Arabia continue its efforts to enhance dialogue among religions and civilizations.
63. Turkey recommended that Saudi Arabia continue and further increase its efforts aimed at
empowering women in Saudi society. It hoped that the new Labour Law will, inter alia, help to
protect better the rights of expatriate workers. Turkey welcomed the ratification of the CPD and
considered that the Prince Salman Center for Disability provides significant service in this field.
It referred to the question of accession to ICCPR and ICESCR, and asked whether a timeline has
been set for the ratifications.
64. Tunisia appreciated that there is the pioneering care and attention to persons with special
needs, under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Affairs, in order to integrate them in the
society. Tunisia asked about the Kingdom’s policy about people with special needs.
65. Switzerland noted that Saudi Arabia has acceded to CAT, and that corporal punishment,
such as flogging and amputations, is incompatible with CAT and international customary law.
Switzerland recommended that Saudi Arabia a) totally abolish those punishments; b) establish a
moratorium on death penalty as a first step towards its total abolition; c) with a view to a rapid
ratification of ICCPR, guarantee the rights of representatives of civil society and human rights
defenders organizations to set themselves up and exercise their rights to freedom of expression.
While noting that Saudi Arabia has taken various steps to improve the rights of women,
Switzerland encouraged Saudi Arabia to continue in that path and recommended d) that it rapidly
ratify and implement the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
66. Malaysia indicated that it supports the efforts to harmonise Shari’ah elements on human
rights into existing legislation. Malaysia recommended to: a) intensify its efforts aimed at
harmonizing elements of the Shari’ah with existing laws, with a view to ensuring maximum
protection for women and children as well as victims of human rights abuses; b) undertaken
thorough and comprehensive studies of international instruments and conventions, including
ICCPR and ICESR, prior to its accession to those instruments; c) continue playing a leading role
in facilitating interreligious and inter-civilisation dialogue, aimed at achieving enhanced
tolerance and understanding among the different faiths and traditions of the world.
67. Thailand noted efforts in eliminating discrimination against migrant workers and
recommended that Saudi Arabia extend human rights equally to all migrant workers, regardless
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