The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirmed that its efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic took place within the framework of a human rights-based approach of two parallel tracks; combating the epidemic and limiting its spread on the one hand, and addressing its impacts or the precautionary measures taken to limit its spread on human rights on the other hand. This came in the Kingdom's speech delivered by the head of the Human Rights Section of the Kingdom's delegation to the United Nations, Meshaal bin Ali Al-Balawi before the Human Rights Council in its 43rd session held in Geneva during the interactive dialogue the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression and the impact of (Covid 19) on them. Al-Balawi said: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's laws, foremost of which is the Basic Law of Governance, combine to enhance freedom of opinion and expression while observing other rights, given that human rights are complementary, interdependent and indivisible, as stated in 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA), which is fully consistent with the relevant international standards. He pointed out that the 8th article of the press and publishing regulation included that freedom of expression is guaranteed by the various means of publishing within the scope of legitimate and legal provisions. --More 00:22 LOCAL TIME 21:22 GMT 0020 www.spa.gov.sa/2108928
