Human rights in Saudi Arabia: pioneering legislation and a model of justice

Every year on December 10th, the world celebrates International Human Rights Day, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This occasion highlights global and national achievements in upholding human dignity. In this context, a group of legal experts and specialists affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has presented a comprehensive and exemplary model for protecting rights and establishing the principles of justice, drawing upon its rich Islamic heritage and the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.

A historic milestone and an international commitment

Professor Noura bint Zaid Al-Rashoud, from the College of Judicial Studies and Regulations at Umm Al-Qura University, explained that International Human Rights Day represents a pivotal moment in international legal history. She noted that the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more than seven decades ago marked the starting point for a comprehensive system of standards that established the concepts of equality, dignity, and freedom as inherent and inalienable rights.

Al-Rashoud added that the past decades have witnessed a shift from theoretical recognition to actual protection through international accountability mechanisms, stressing that the Kingdom’s active participation in the Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva reflects its commitment to human rights diplomacy and building international alliances that promote the values ​​of human justice.

Legislative revolution in the era of the Vision

For his part, legal expert Khaled Al-Daqas highlighted the legislative boom the Kingdom has witnessed, emphasizing that the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have given great attention to preserving the dignity of the individual. He explained that this concern was not a recent development, but rather is rooted in the Basic Law of Governance, which guarantees human rights in accordance with Islamic Sharia.

Al-Daqas reviewed a range of modern systems that have strengthened the legal framework in the Kingdom, most notably:

• The system for protection from abuse and the system for child protection.
• The system for combating harassment and human trafficking crimes.
• Personal status law and civil transactions law.
• A system for the care of people with disabilities.

He pointed to the pivotal role played by the Human Rights Commission and the National Society for Human Rights, in addition to reporting centers such as the (1919) center, in transforming these legal texts into a tangible reality that protects the most vulnerable groups.

Dignity is the cornerstone of a vibrant society

In a related context, lawyer Wajdan Al-Dhaheri affirmed that human rights are the cornerstone of any society striving for stability and prosperity. She explained that the rights to life, security, education, and health are not merely services provided by the state, but rather inherent entitlements guaranteed by the Kingdom to its citizens and residents.

Lawyer Suleiman Al-Jumai’i agreed with her, describing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 as a “national dignity charter,” noting that the vision has gone beyond the traditional concept of economic development to include improving the quality of life, empowering women, supporting people with disabilities, and developing the judicial system to be faster and more efficient, which directly contributes to promoting human rights.

Community awareness and sustainable development

In conclusion, researcher and author Dr. Ma'touq Al-Sharif emphasized that respect for human rights has become an integral part of the global sustainable development framework. He explained that educational and media institutions in the Kingdom play a vital role in disseminating a culture of tolerance and rejecting hatred, and in transforming human rights principles from legal texts into daily practices of individuals, stressing that protecting rights is a shared responsibility between the state and society.