Freedom abused in Saudi Arabia

This article brings to light a sad history of tyranny going on in Saudi Arabia. While we want China and Saudi Arabia to be our allies and trade partners, it is important we do not overlook their terrible abuse of human rights. The very rights our founding fathers sacrificed to obtain.

Consider a few facts the article points out;

“* Religious freedom does not exist in Saudi Arabia…. Islam is Saudi Arabia's official religion, and all citizens are required by law to be Muslims. ...

* Academic freedom is restricted in Saudi Arabia, and informers monitor classrooms for compliance with limits on curricula, such as a ban on teaching Western philosophy and religions other than Islam...

*Saudi citizens do not enjoy freedom of association and assembly...

* The judiciary lacks independence from the monarchy. The king appoints all judges on the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the monarchy serves as the highest court of appeal. The rule of law is regularly flouted by the Saudi regime…. Secret trials are common, and political opponents of the regime are often detained without charge and held for indefinite periods of time. Allegations of torture by police and prison officials are frequent, though access to prisoners by independent human rights and legal organizations is strictly limited.

*In 2004, a number of democracy advocates in the kingdom mounted a petition campaign in favor of reforms. In March, the government arrested 13 reformers who had called for establishing a constitutional monarchy and holding parliamentary elections. Three - Ali al-Doumani, Dr. Matrouk al-Faleh, and Dr. Abdullah al-Hamed - were tried for creating political instability after refusing to sign a document renouncing their reform efforts. The trial got off to a rocky start in August, when the judge suspended initial hearings after hundreds of supporters of the defendants rallied outside the courtroom.

*Saudi Arabia formally abolished slavery in 1962 – a tad late, we think -- but Saudi citizens, with government help, continue hold people to forcible and indefinite service. In 2003, reports the Little Green Footballs blog, a Saudi man published a want ad offering to trade his 1991 Dodge for a female slave from Sri-Lanka. Here is an excerpt from a detailed piece by Joel Mowbray in the Feb. 24, 2003 issue of National Review:

"As part of its massive PR offensive, the House of Saud is trying to convince the world that its treatment of women is improving. But a first-hand witness would see a far different reality: women who are literally locked inside homes, paid little or nothing as domestic servants, worked up to 20 hours per day, and verbally and physically abused. This sad state of affairs exists not just in Saudi Arabia, but in Saudi homes right here in the United States. But there are people who know all about it, and even allow the practice to continue unabated on American soil: the U.S. State Department. Saudi abuse of domestics occasionally makes news in the Western press—but only when it happens outside of the kingdom.”

What would or should we do different? This is a hard question, because we both want and need these countries on our side, but perhaps some tough love would help. But then again religion is a powerful force and when it and government are one (for example Saudi- Wahhabi-Muslim and China-Communism/Atheism) it is hard nigh impossible to shake; only the people who want freedom in that country could obtain it (with perhaps some outside support).