Reforms and clocks

None of the detainees were ever presented before a court

Saudi Arabia is changing in more ways than one as modernity makes more inroads into what is still a deeply conservative society. Under the reform-minded Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman the Saudi kingdom has struck down several strict regulations, including the ban on women drivers and cinema halls, and taken major steps to open up to the world. Since the middle of last year, the Saudi prince has shaken up the foundations of the state by turning old sensibilities on its head. Again and again.

However, there are several areas left untouched by the incredulous and dizzying pace of reform. For instance, the detention of thousands of people, many of them foreigners, without trial has gone on without interruption or apology — much as it had for decades. Human Rights Watch has censured Prince Muhammad for the arbitrary detentions of 2,305 people for more than six months and another 251 people for three years at a stretch. None of these detainees was ever presented before a court.

It is unfortunate that the bulk of these detentions took place when the kingdom has been moving steadily along the path of reform. We understand that the Saudi reform process is at delicate stage and needs to be buttressed and fervently supported by the world. If we expect the Saudi kingdom to continue to boost the role of women in the workforce and undertake many of the goals of its “Vision 2030” plan, we should firmly stand by Prince Muhammad and give him time to implement all that he has set out to do. It is true that drastic measures are needed to make the Saudi criminal justice system effective. We probably risk jeopardising the whole process by rushing through with reforms.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2018.

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