CONFIDENTIAL
SAUDI ARABIA
Report by HM Embassy, Jedda
General Observations
1.
This is a vast and undeveloped country. We know little or nothing about what goes on in the remoter parts of it. Even in the centre, affairs are conducted with con- siderable secrecy and there is almost no penetration by press reporters, etc. Even the most elementary statistics are lacking. For example, if we knew how many people were imprisoned without trial we could not say what proportion they would be of the whole population since we do not know what the population of this country is.
2. Although the specific headings do not cover these points, the fundamental discrimination against women in Saudi Arabia should be noted, as should the ban on all religious observance other than that of Islam.
3.
Nevertheless, it is perhaps permissible to reflect upon the fact that a country which scores consistently poor marks under almost every Human Rights heading is one to which not only its own citizens hurry back but which also has one of the highest immigration rates in the world.
Right No.
(i)
Rating Suggested
by Post
Imprisonment without trial was much reduced by an amnesty after the murder of King Faisal in 1975, but there are unconfirmed reports of a small number of prisoners still held and we have little doubt that in certain cases prisoners would be held without trial. Endemic delays in all governmental processes also result in people being "remanded in custody" for long periods pending com- pletion of some judicial or administrative process.
3
(ii)
There is no firm evidence of torture. Corporal punishment is widely used and such punishments as the stocks are also used e.g. for prisoners attempting to escape. Mutilation and stoning to death are used, but not common.
6
(iii) Slavery was formally abolished in 1962.
There is no evidence that it still exists, though it may well in remote areas.
(iv)
3
Formal and strict censorship is exercised over foreign material entering the Kingdom. The local media are controlled, but not
/completely
CONFIDENTIAL
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