Above: Saudi delegate addresses today’s UNHRC session
GENEVA, Nov. 5, 2018 — Following is a selection of the praise that Saudi Arabia received when its human rights record was reviewed today, as a part of a mandatory review that every country undergoes every five years at the UN Human Rights Council:
- Venezuela: “We commend Saudi Arabia for empowering women.”
- Pakistan: “We commend efforts [by Saudi Arabia] to empower women and promote gender equality.”
- United Arab Emirates: “We commend Saudi Arabia for mainstreaming human rights.”
- State of Palestine: “We believe that Saudi Arabia places great importance on human rights. We welcome its efforts in promoting human rights, protecting development and ensuring accountability.”
- Yemen: “We commend the support provided [by Saudi Arabia] at all levels to the people of Yemen.”
- Bahrain: “We hail the positive steps taken[by Saudi Arabia] to protect human rights.”
- Jordan: “The Saudi government has made human rights one of its main priorities.”
- Malaysia: “The efforts [by Saudi Arabia] in advancing women’s rights are commendable.”
- Mauritania: “We applaud progress [by Saudi Arabia] in the fields of women’s rights, children’s rights, and rights of people with disabilities.”
- Nigeria: “We commend efforts [by Saudi Arabia] in combating human trafficking and to promote the rights of domestic service workers.”
- Eritrea: “We commend symbolic steps taken [by Saudi Arabia] to ensure equality.”
- Gabon: “We commend reforms [by Saudi Arabia] to promote the rights of women and bring about their empowerment.”
- Senegal: “We commend efforts [by Saudi Arabia] made to combat human trafficking.”
- China: “We commend Saudi Arabia for its adoption and implementation of the Saudi Vision 2030, as well as for its efforts in the area of economic, social development … and its judicial reform and fight against corruption.”
- The Philippines: “We appreciate the determination [by Saudi Arabia] to combat human trafficking and to enhance the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers.”
Today #SaudiArabia was reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council, as all countries are every 5 years.
• Out of 96 nations who spoke, 75 praised Saudi Arabia.
• Not 1 mentioned jailed human rights hero Raif Badawi.
• Saudi Arabia is a member of the UNHRC.#FreeRaif #EndImpunity pic.twitter.com/56RmVIy4lO— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) November 5, 2018
Once every five years, a country spends three hours getting its record reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council. But about 75% of the reviews are fake, turning the exercise into a Mutual Praise Society. Thread on today's fake reviews of Saudi Arabia: https://t.co/32vdhlFRVf
— UN Watch (@UNWatch) November 5, 2018
