A/HRC/11/L.10
page 117
allow women to realize the extent of their rights in order to overcome confusion between true
Islamic sharia, customs and traditions and human rights law. They welcomed the intention of
Saudi Arabia to ratify a number of international human rights instruments.
477. The International Commission of Jurists noted that the religious police were allegedly
responsible for human rights violations, including torture and ill-treatment, enforced
disappearances and arbitrary detentions. Saudi authorities had failed to hold fair and transparent
elections. It pointed out that the Government should reform the Basic Law of Government in
order to reinforce the rule of law and human rights. The Government should also incorporate into
the Law the principle of equality between men and women and the prohibition of discrimination
on the basis of sex. It urged the Government to accede to international human rights treaties,
cooperate with the Council’s special procedures and submit overdue reports to the
United Nations treaty bodies.
478. Three non-governmental organizations were scheduled to speak during the 20-minute
segment allocated to them, but were unable to do so because the meeting was running late.3
4. Concluding remarks of the State under review
479. Owing to time constraints, Saudi Arabia was not provided with the prescribed time
allocated to States under review and could thus not address the issues raised in detail. It
reiterated, however, that the national report clearly illustrated the measures taken for the
protection of women and migrant workers’ rights and provided details on related laws. It should
be noted that 13 judges of various courts examined cases involving the death penalty, and that
this sentence was applied to the most odious cases only. Questions and comments should be
based on reality without dismissing the figures and the contents provided in the national report.
3
The statements of the non-governmental organizations in question have been posted,
exceptionally, on the universal periodic review extranet.
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