European Parliament condemns human rights violations in Saudi Arabia

The European Parliament yesterday condemned human rights violations in Saudi Arabia and called for the immediate release of all detainees including activists Nawaf Al-Rasheed and Raef Badawi and stop discrimination against minorities, Al Jazeera reported.

The European Parliament also urged Saudi Arabia to accelerate the pace of reform and not just to make promises.

So far this month, Saudi authorities have arrested seven women and four men who were outspoken women’s rights defenders in the Kingdom; although some have been released.

Saudi activists fear additional arrests ahead of the government’s planned lifting of a ban on women driving next month.

READ: Saudi activists’ arrest revives concerns about reform agenda

Human Rights Watch said a few days ago that Saudi Arabia was holding thousands of people for more than six months without trial, and in some cases for more than a decade.

“The Saudi government seems so consumed with silencing dissent that even activists who have gone quiet for fear of retribution are being targeted again,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW, warning that the new wave of repression could make the Kingdom’s allies skeptical about how serious it is about changing its approach to women’s rights.