Figure 1.--. |
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Saudi Arabia is a monarchy in which citizens do not have a right to participate in the political process. Critics maintain that it is not just a matter of limitations on human rights in Saudi Arabia, but human rights are non-existent. This is somewhat unfair, in part because oil money has brought a range of social welfare programs like education and health care, but it is undeniable that Saudis and foreigners living in Saudi Arabia are severly restricted in terms of human rights. There are few constraints on the security services which in additiin to civil order exertr grea-t influence on personal conduct. There is no protection of individual rights pr privacy. Islam is the state religion and there is no religious freedom. There are also severe restrictions on women's rights.
There are political prisoners. There are reports of torture, ill-treatment, incommunicado detention, and unfair trials. Saudi Arabia uses a variety of cruel punishments used in the Saudi criminal justice system, including flogging and amputations. Executions are carried out by beheadings with a sword. There is a disproportionate use of severe punishments against foreign nationals working in Saudi Arabia. The problem is particularly severe with female domestic workers who have virtually no ability to appeal to the police. Saudi Arabia is an extremely conservative society that is experimenting with modest reforms. The political reform process combined with attacks by various Islamic groups has created an unsettled security situation, The Islacist attacks have resulted in sometimes brutal resonses by security forces.
The Arabian Peninsula is the homeland of the Arab peoples. The Arabs were nomadic people known to the early civilzations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. The written history of the Arabs begins with Mohammed and the foundation of Islam. The two most important cities in Islam (Mecca and Medina) are located on the Arabian Peninsula. The written history of the Arabs begins with Mohammed's flight from Mecca--the hegira (622 AD). The outburtst of Arab warriors from the Arabuan Peninsula resulted in one of the most remarkable military campaigns in history and the creation of the Islamic Caliphate. A succession of empires struggled for control of the peninsula, but the topography and climate made it difficult for any group to remain effective contril. The Arabian Peninsula id extremely rugged and arid. It was not worth the effort in economic return for empires to exet the military effort required to control the Peninsula. The Ottomon Empire established nominal control over the Peninsula (1517). Effective Ottomon control was limited to the principl population centers. The Ottoman divided the Peninsula into principalitoies (18th century). The political divisions of the Peninsula largely relate to the Ottoman principalities.
Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab laynched a campaign to purifiy Islam (1745). His reforms involved a fundamentalist, strict interpretation of the Koran and the resulting Wahhabi movement had a major impact on the practice of Islam on the Peninsula, introducing a intolerant outlook toward no only onther religions, but other Islamic sects as well. Wahhabi leaders launched a jihad—a holy war—against other forms of Islam on the peninsula and suceeded in gaining control over much of it (1811). The Ottomans and their Egyptian allies drove the Wahhabis from power, but the Wahhabi influence continued to be important throughout the Peninsula. King Ibn Saud (1882–1953) who descended from important Wahhabis founded the Kingdom of Saubi Arabia. He he seized Riyadh (1901). He set about creating an Arab nationalist movement. He had established Wahhabi dominance in Nejd (1906). He sought independence from the Ottoman Empire, but did not have the military strength to do so. This changed when the Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers in World War I (1914-18). The British provided military assistance including an idealistic academic who became known as Lawrence of Arabia. The irregular Arab Army drove the Ottomans out of most odf the Arabian Peninsula. A British Army with the Arab Army on the right drove the Ottomons out of Palestine and Syria. Saud after World War I conquered Hejaz (1924–25). Saud united the Hejaz and Nejd into the modern kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1932). It was established as an absolute monarchy ruled by sharia law. King Saud then added Asir (1933). Saudi Arabiawas united, but very poor. Oil was discovered in the country (1936). Actual commercial extraction began during World War II. After the War, Saudi Arabia became the world's largest oil producer. The oil wealth allowed the Saudis to convert one of the world's poorest countries into one of the richest. The Government assesses no takes and provides free health care and education to all Saudi citizens. Saudi Arabia joined the Arab League (1945). It took part in the First Arab-Isreaki War (1948–49). When Ibn Sauds died (1953), his eldest son, Saud, replaced him. A split in the Arab world developed between the Saudis and the Arab Socialism propiunded Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser. An increasingly incapacitated King Saud was deposed by the prime minister, Crown Prince Faisal (1964). Faisal remained hostile to Israel, but did not participate in Egyptian led Six Days War (1967). Faisal was assainated by a deranged member of the royal family (1975). He was suceeded by his brother, Prince Khalid. King Khalid supported Egypt during the negotiations with Israel over the Sinai. King Khalid suffered a heart attack (1982). He was succeeded by his half-brother, Prince Fahd bin 'Abdulaziz, who had been the real power in the kingdom for many years. King Fahd selected his half-brother Abdullah as crown prince.
Whabbism is a fierce strain of Islam which the Saudi monarchy has used as a pillar of its rule.
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy in which citizens do not have a right to participate in the political process.
Fredom of expression is severely restricted in Saudi Arabia. The Government formally restricts all media outlets. There are also constraints from the country's Whabbi clerics. An ageing Sheik Abdul-Rahman al-Barak issued a fatwa on two Saudi journalists (March 2008). The fartwa declared that the journalists should be killed if they did not renounce articles they had written in al Riyadh. An Islamic fatwa essentially gives religious sanction to murder. The two journalists had written articles suggesting that people of other faiths, such as People of the Book--Christias and Jews, in a more positive manner. The Koran itself is not consistent on this issue. Tere are, however, passages from the Koran that Whabbi clerics can use to justify their basically hareful position--especially toward Jews. Islamic scholars have debate the subject to some extent and there is a range of views on the subject. The Saudis with their Whabbi theology have tended to take a strict view. The two writers in question, Abdullah bin Bejad al-Otaini and Yousef Aba el-Khail, did not back down. And one threateed to bring a law suit against the sheik, In addition more than 100 Arab rights groups and respected intelectuals denounced the fatwa calling it "intelectual terrorism" originating from "clerics of darkness". And King Abdullah issued a call for an interfaith dilogue. It is not clear what will come of that, but the larger Arab reaction to Sheik Barak does offer hope for the future.
There are also severe restrictions on women's rights based on the Koran. Decrimination against women is pronounced in the Kindom affecting many aspects of their daily lives. The decrimination affects education, employment, movemnt, legal rights, and the justice system. Women under Saudi law are regarded as inferior to men. The Saudis have made considerable progress in educating women. Saudi women unlike women in many Arab countries do not have a high rate of iliteracy. In fact, about 70 percent of university students are women. Women are not allowed, however, to turn their educational achievements into actual earnings and jobs. Women make up only 5 percent of the work force. This appears to be the lowest level of female workers in the world. The Kingdom has been considering reforms to create greater opportunities for women in the work place, but such reforms have been opposed by the Labor Ministry, from the religious police, and by many men. Conservative elements in the Kingdom believe that women belong at home caring for her husband and family. Women face pervasive desrimination under Saudi law based on Islamic concepts. The ability of men to testify in court is limited and even that is not seen as bearing the weight of fact. This leaves women vulnerable to assault and/or rape. Women also do not have equal inheritance rights. And they can be easily divorced which can lead to separation from their children. The movement of women is strictly limited. They are not allowed to drive or ride bicycles on public roads in large cities, although they commonly do so illegally in rural areas where there is lesspolice supervision. The religious police enforce extreme modesty in dress. This begins in the early teens. Girls after their first menstrual cycle must wear the abaaya. This is a long black cloak covering their entire body. Violations can lead to extreme punishment, including caning, harassment, and/ or fines. Institutions including schools, government agencies, restaurants, and others always have sex-segregated facilities. Women need the permission and often the presence of a mle relative to be admitted to a hospital, examined by a doctor, travel abroad or even leave the house.
Islam is the state religion and simply put, there is no religious freedom. Islam is the state religion and all Saudi cituzens must be Muslims. Apostacy is a a capital crime. Adherence to other religions or atheism is a crime. Prostelezation including missionary work is forbiddn by any religions or Islamic sect except Wahabi/Salafi Islam. Saudi religious police have been known to detaine Shiite pilgrims participating in the Haj. Jewish or Christian houses of worship are prohibited as well of those of any other non-Muslem religion. An exception is made for foreign Christian workers who are allowed to hold services in private homes or even schools if dome discreetly and without any public announcement. The government can search the home of anyone suspected of possessing non-Islamic religious items including rosaries and Bibles. The Government arrests and deports foreign workers for owning religious icons and symbols. Punishment for Saudis is much more severe. Generally the Government does not persue this on the Aramco compounds. But even here any public display of non-Islamic religious items including Christmas decorations is not allowed and can lead to legal action. When questioned about the absence of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia at the U.N. Third Millennium Summit in New York City, Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz insisted, "It is absurd to impose on an individual or a society rights that are alien to its beliefs or principles."
There are few constraints on the security services which in additiin to civil order exertr great influence on personal conduct. There is no protection of individual rights pr privacy.
There are political prisoners. There are reports of torture, ill-treatment, incommunicado detention, and unfair trials. Saudi Arabia uses a variety of cruel punishments used in the Saudi criminal justice system, including flogging and amputations. Executions are carried out by beheadings with a sword.
There is a disproportionate use of severe punishments against foreign nationals working in Saudi Arabia. The problem is particularly severe with female domestic workers who have virtually no ability to appeal to the police.
Foreign schools are often required to teach a yearly introductory unit on Islam.
Homosexuality is illegal. Punishment for homosexuality or practices considered deviant such as cross-dressing range from imprisonment, deportation (for foreigners), lashes, and in some instances execution. Saudi citizen infected with HIV or AIDS is legally entitled to free medical care, protection of their privacy and employment opportunities. Most hospitals will, however, not treat patients who are infected.
Slavery was legal in Saudi Arabia until 1962. The Kingdom outlawed slavery at that time. This was a jajor step for the Saudis and other conservative Arab states because slavery is an accepted practice in the Koran. Observers estimate that by this action about 10,000 out of an estimated 15,000-30,000 slaves were freed. Outlawing slavery and abolishing it are two dufferent matters. There is evidence of human trafiking within the Kingdom. There are numerous instances of foreign domestics enduring conditions approaching slavery.
Saudi Arabia is an extremely conservative society that is experimenting with modest reforms.
The political reform process combined with attacks by various Islamic groups has created an unsettled security situation. The Islacist attacks have resulted in sometimes brutal resonses by security forces.
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