RIYADH: The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has launched workshops, “Human Rights – the Reality and Expectations,” in six cities across the Kingdom to gain insights about a number of issues. The cities include Riyadh, Jeddah, Buraidah, Sakaka, Abha and Dammam, and the gatherings will include participation of a wide range of organizations and government officials. A number of ministries, commissions and civil societies will participate in the workshops, which aim to determine the current situation of human rights in the society, hear views about human-rights priorities, probe the degree of awareness in the society and its institutions, specify the expected role of institutions related to development of human rights awareness, prepare a vision for human rights in Saudi society and look for reasons why some people keep silent and don't demand their rights. Participants are also expected to discuss challenges facing the spread of human rights culture among individuals and institutions, arrange the reasons according to importance and suggest how to address them. Participants will also carry out collective work in documenting the attributes of society that protect human rights and get acquainted with the best ways to bring the Saudi society to an advanced status in defending human rights. Participants are expected to include the Ministry of Justice and several other ministries, the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution, police, prison officials, Civil Defense; charitable and legal groups, the Passports Department and other related authorities. Individuals expected to participate include judges, specialists in Islamic Shariah, lawyers, educators, opinion writers, journalists, intellectuals, academics, retirees, businessmen, human rights activists, young men and women, and imams of mosques. The HRC aims to protect and boost human rights according to international criteria, spread awareness and contribute in ensuring their implementation in the light of the rules of the Islamic Shariah. The HRC, an independent government body, provides consultations to state authorities and individuals on human rights and carries out social activities with the participation of government and private authorities to spread the culture of human rights and boost awareness among individuals of their rights. The HRC has also played a significant role in tackling some social problems in which there is injustice. It corresponds with the ministries of Justice and Social Affairs to give its views in the light of the Islamic Shariah on harm to human rights taking place in the civil society.
