Saudi Arabia’s upcoming chairmanship of the United Nations gender equality forum has ignited a debate over the kingdom’s commitment to women’s rights. Amid ongoing assaults on women’s rights, this decision has been met with criticism from human rights organizations who highlight a stark contrast between Saudi Arabia’s record and the aspirations of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Amnesty International has been vocal about its concerns, with Sherine Tadros, Deputy Director for Advocacy, stating, “Saudi Arabia’s abysmal record when it comes to protecting and promoting the rights of women puts a spotlight on the vast gulf between the lived reality for women and girls in Saudi Arabia, and the aspirations of the Commission.” The agency’s analysis of Saudi Arabia’s recently enacted 2022 Personal Status Law, which has been hailed by Saudi authorities as progressive, actually “entrenches gender-based discrimination in every aspect of family life,” as per Amnesty International.
The report also points out that the draft penal code would grant immunity for so-called “honour crimes,” fails to criminalize marital rape, and criminalizes consensual sexual relations outside of marriage. Additionally, women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia face persecution, and those supporting women’s rights have been subjected to severe prison sentences, highlighting the discrepancy between Saudi Arabia’s internal policies and its international commitments to gender equality.
The Asia regional group within the UN, which includes Saudi Arabia, unanimously confirmed the kingdom’s candidacy, and it was expected to be confirmed without a vote during the CSW meeting. Diplomatic sources revealed that despite private acknowledgment of the issue, there is reluctance to oppose the bid formally due to the precedent it could set, since such positions are usually confirmed unanimously and rotate among the UN’s regional groups.
Relevant articles:
– Saudi Arabia to be appointed chair of UN’s gender equality forum amid ongoing assault on women’s rights
– Reject Saudi Bid to Chair UN Women’s Rights Forum, Human Rights Watch, Tue, 19 Mar 2024 11:00:00 GMT
– As Gaza is destroyed, Israel is killing dozens of children in the West Bank, The Guardian, Sat, 23 Mar 2024 21:25:00 GMT
– Saudi Personal Status Law codifies discrimination against women, Amnesty International, Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT