Critics Hammer Saudi Appointment to UN Human Rights Panel

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Critics Hammer Saudi Appointment to UN Human Rights Panel Source Credit: UN The Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has been appointed chair of an independent panel of human rights experts on the UN Human Rights Council. In a decision which elicited alarm from the international human rights community, Faisal bin Hassad Trad was chosen to head the “crown jewel” of the UN’s Human Rights Council, which includes the power to select applicants to fill more than 77 positions “dealing with country-specific and thematic human rights mandates.” Ensaf Haidar, wife of jailed pro-democracy blogger Raif Badawi, indicated the decision is effectively “a green light to start flogging [my husband] again.” UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer speculated that the appointment was a consolation prize for the Saudis, who aimed to head the entire council, adding ““It’s a sad comment on our world that oil continues to trump basic human rights principles.” Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth expressed his disbelief at the appointment, referring to Saudi Arabia’s “awful record.” Concerning the kingdom’s human rights record, Trad previously rejected a UN Human Rights Council report, stating that “the death penalty is a legal measure to protect the right to life and interests of the community. The appointment comes in the same week that 21-year-old Ali Mohammad al-Nimr, charged with participation in illegal protests and firearm possession as a minor, faces death by crucifixion. Evidence suggests Nimr was tortured in detention and was forced to sign a confession. His uncle is prominent Shi’a cleric and vocal opponent of the regime Nimr al-Nimr. Maya Foa, director of human rights organization Reprieve, stated that Nimr’s execution would “violate international law and the most basic standards of decency.” Trad said that the only cases for which Saudi Arabia exercises the death penalty are murder and drug trafficking. Alexandra El Khazen, head of Reporters Without Borders MENA desk, stated “This appointment is grotesque.” Saudi Arabia ranked 164 out of 180 countries in the 2015 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index; nine journalists are currently detained..

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