Saudi speaker sees no curbs on debate

Riyadh: The speaker of the Saudi Shura "Consultative" Council stressed that members of the council have a free hand to discuss and raise any issue they feel is in public interest.

Dr Saleh Bin Humaid confirmed that there are no red lines or restrictions on the members emphasising that ceiling of freedom in the council is quite high so that they can suggest and discuss all issues coming under the jurisdiction of the council.

Dr Saleh who made the remark yesterday while addressing representatives of local press said, "Councils without powers will not be in a position to raise or discuss hot issues. In fact, this situation applies to some elected councils unlike the case of the unelected Saudi council whose members acquire full powers and are able to discuss and raise all issues no matter how delicate or sensitive."

Meanwhile, President of the Saudi National Human Rights Society, Dr Bander Hajar, mentioned that the society has compiled a comprehensive report about human rights which is the first of its kind in the kingdom.

He stressed that he will not disclose the report's contents unless the Society's board sees and endorses the report. The Board of Directors comprises nine members.

Rights report

Dr Hajar explained that board will release the report when it fully discusses and reviews all the details of the report.

Some observers believe that the board wants to take time to fully revise the report aiming at softening and balancing its language.

Dr Hajar who addressed a press conference declined to brief the reporters on the report but he emphasised that the report tackles the real situation of human rights in the kingdom through the experiences of the society in the past three years.

He also confirmed that the society will not submit its report to any government or non-government organisation for there is no law that compels it to do so.

"So far the society has looked into 600 cases dealing with human rights, mainly focusing on family violence and labour disputes and inmates as well. The society has managed to settle 75 per cent of these cases through reconciliation, advice or referring them to the responsible authorities," Dr Mefleh Al Qah'tani, the Society's Deputy Chief, was quoted by Gulf News as saying.

Al Qah'tani said the society has four branches in Riyadh, Western and Eastern regions and Jizan, pointing that more branches will be opened in Jouf and other parts of the kingdom.

He said the society is considering the possibility of opening main offices in the kingdom's main towns.