Saudi Arabia to address human rights concerns through new laws

An official at the US based Human Rights Watch who in its recent report of 2002 had strong criticism for Riyadh, held yesterday talks with Saudi Arabian officials.

The Saudi news agency said that the Saudi minister of justice Abdullah al-Sheikh and the chairman of the investigation and ( attorney General ) Sheikh Muhammad al-Mahwous received Hani Majli, the executive director of the Middle East and North Africa at the organization.

The Saudi news agency added that the Sheikh explained to the organization's representative the new introduced legislation adopted in 2002 with the aim of improving the measures to protecting human rights. Majli was also briefed on the details of the pursued judicial measures and the Saudi attorney department.

In its report which was issued last week, Human Rights Watch stressed that the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has not witnessed progress especially in regard to guaranteeing rights of convicts, open judicial proceedings, equality between man and woman, freedom of expression and religion.

Saudi Arabia had indicated that it was willing to invite and meet with human rights advocates, and this meeting is seen by some as a positive sign of Saudi Arabia's intent to discuss and address Human rights issues.