Saudi Arabia makes strides in Human Rights reforms, says HRC official

In a panel discussion organized by the Permanent Mission of the Gulf Cooperation Council to the United Nations, Zuhair Al-Zouman, Assistant President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC), emphasized the unprecedented reforms and developments in Saudi Arabia’s human rights landscape since the implementation of Vision 2030.

Al-Zouman highlighted the Kingdom’s proactive political will under wise leadership, addressing various aspects of human rights. He pointed out significant achievements in the rights of the elderly, people with disabilities, women, and children, attributing these advancements to regulations based on a human rights-centered approach.

The Assistant President underscored ongoing efforts to enhance the legislative system for human rights, involving the review, issuance, and amendment of legislations, as outlined by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Al-Zouman emphasized that human rights should be the ultimate goal, not a means to other ends, urging collective efforts to counter politicization and selectivity in applying human rights standards.

“We should cooperate together to confront attempts of politicization and selectivity in applying human rights standards, calling for all rights to be given the same weight of focus and attention, in line with the complementarity and indivisibility of human rights,” he stated.

Expressing hope for positive change, Al-Zouman linked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to potential resolutions in Gaza. He aspired for an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people through the establishment of their independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.