Saudi Arabia yesterday officially approved the recently-established human rights watchdog, the first in the Kingdom, and pledged its support for the 41-member organization. âI received today a permission slip letter from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, in which he approved our request to set up the organization,â Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid, president of the National Human Rights Association said. âThe NHRAâs main task will be the protection of human rights,â Al-Obaid said, adding that the Riyadh-based organization would work in accordance with Shariah and the countryâs Basic Governing System.
| Y'know, I'll bet that's why they call it the Human Rights Association. Of course, having to stick with shariah makes it kinda like waltzing with your foot in a bucket... |
Al-Obaid, a member of the consultative Shoura Council, and other members of the association earlier met with Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, who also gave his blessing to the organization.
âHe told us we would receive all the support we need from the parties concerned,â the AFP news agency quoted Al-Obaid as saying. Political science professor Abdul Khalek Abdul Hay, one of about 20 who met Prince Abdullah, said the group had explained its covenant to the crown prince, âwho wished us success in our task.â |