Saudi Arabia is set to join the UN Human Rights Council on November 12, 2013. The laughable process to select members of the UN's top human rights body involves pledging to care about human rights. So here's the Saudi 8-page "pledge" on its terrific rights record:
- Saudi Arabia has "right conduct that is based on the Islamic Sharia."
- "Saudi Arabia supported and complied with the resolutions of the Human Rights Council."
- Saudi Arabia "cooperated with Human Rights Council mechanisms...in a manner that reflects its relentless pursuit of the realization of human rights on the ground."
- "Saudi Arabia acceded to the Arab Charter on Human Rights" and all kinds of Arab human rights laws.
- "Saudi Arabia has adopted several significant laws that protect human rights, including the Judiciary Law..."
- "The Shura Council approved the Child Protection Law, which ... is aimed at realizing the best interests of the child."
- "Recent human rights efforts of Saudi Arabia at the national level...Promoting a culture of human rights"
- "A national plan for human rights education has been adopted..."
- "In November 2012, the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue opened in Vienna."
- "Saudi Arabia has established the National Commission for Human Rights Education."
- "Saudi Arabia contributed $1 million in support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women."
- "Saudi Arabia pledged to contribute $10 million over a three-year period in order to establish the [United Nations Counter-Terrorism] Centre. This was followed by an additional contribution of $100 million..."
- "Should Saudi Arabia be selected as a member for the period 2014-2016, it pledges to continue to support tirelessly the work of the Human Rights Council... Saudi Arabia furthermore affirms its commitment to... support the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights by contributing $1 million over a period of five years."
Now for the facts:
- Saudis "justice" system includes beheading, whipping;
- There are zero UN Human Rights Council resolutions on Saudi Arabia;
- Saudis say they have engaged in the "relentless pursuit of the realization of human rights on the ground." (...grinding women down into the ground);
- Saudis have a "judiciary law." Not the rule of law. Actually the rule of a hand-picked fanatical judiciary;
- Saudis say they follow the "best interests of the child." Girls can marry at puberty. 10 years ok;
- Saudis say they "promote a culture of human rights". Culture of misogyny, intolerance...more like it;
- Saudis have a "national plan for human rights education." Now if only girls and women had equal access to education;
- "King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Int'l Centre for Interreligious & Intercultural Dialogue" opened in Vienna. Antisemites unite;
- Saudis gave $110 million to the UN Counter-Terrorism Center. Blood money;
- Saudis donated money to the "UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women" (outside Saudi Arabia);
- Saudis end their pledge by promising money for the UN Human Rights office if elected. Sound like a bribe to you?