In late October, Saudi Arabia granted a robot, called Sophia, citizenship, making it the first robot in the world to officially become the citizen of a state. However, the decision to grant Sophia the privileges of a Saudi national has engendered sharp criticism concerning the kingdom’s treatment of women, in particular the continued imposition of[…]
04
Dec
Dec
**Update 23 April 2019 – Today, the Saudi government carried out the executions of 37 men, including Munir Al Adam. His case had drawn the attention of UN bodies, including Special Procedures (SAU 5/2016 and SAU 7/2017), and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) issued a decision on his case finding Saudi Arabia in violation of its[…]
16
Nov
Nov
On 1 November 2017, Saudi Arabia established a new counter-terrorism law. This law, consisting of 96 articles (27 of which deal solely with punishments), replaces and expands upon the last counter-terror law passed in December 2013. Instead of using the nearly four years since the last passage of law to improve legislation roundly criticized for[…]
14
Nov
Nov
14 November 2017 – The United States (US) House of Representatives passed on 13 November 2017 a resolution stating that American military support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen is not authorized under legislation passed by Congress to fight al-Qaeda or invade Iraq. The text, introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and James McGovern (D-MA),[…]
09
Nov
Nov
On 29 and 30 October, Saudi Arabia tried two prominent human rights defenders, Essam Koshak and Issa al-Nukheifi respectively. Al-Nukheifi was initially arrested in 2012 after he appeared on a television program and accused Saudi authorities of corruption and human rights violations. Koshak was detained in January 2017 and accused of “inciting public opinion,” and[…]
