Saudi official nixes politicizing human rights issues

GENEVA, April 22 (KUNA) -- Deputy Chief of the Saudi Human Rights Commission Dr. Nasser Al-Shahrani cautioned on Friday against politicizing human rights issues.
Addressing a UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) meeting on Saudi Arabia's record and efforts at fighting human torture, he said the issue of human rights should not be exploited as a pretext for interference into other nations' domestic affairs.
He emphasized that his country fights human torture based on strict Sharia law injunctions and relevant international agreements such as the Ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Furthermore, he indicated that the Saudi penal system insures that lawbreakers, at the time of their arrest, are treated humanely and in accordance with the dictates of the law.
In safeguarding the principles of human rights, there have been efforts by civil society to combat a number of widespread social phenomena such as domestic violence, for instance, where a toll-free phone number is available for anyone to report an instance of this type of violence, he said.
He stressed that the government enforces a monitoring system that routinely inspects correctional facilities and detainment centers for any signs of abuse against prisoners or those arrested and are waiting for their time in court. (end) ta.ajs