Saudi Arabia's Reforms Under Vision 2030 Strengthen Justice And Equality, Affirms HRC President

Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, President of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC), recently led Saudi Arabia's delegation at the 114th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva. She highlighted that under King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH the Crown Prince, significant reforms have been made to uphold justice and equality in the Kingdom.

Al-Tuwaijri pointed out that since Vision 2030's inception, Saudi Arabia has embraced a remarkable openness to various races, cultures, and religions. The reforms related to work, tourism, investment, residency, and global events have played a crucial role in this transformation. The Kingdom now hosts over 13 million residents from more than 60 nationalities, making up over 40% of its population.

These residents enjoy equal rights and are protected from racial discrimination. Al-Tuwaijri reiterated Saudi Arabia's dedication to cooperating fully with UN mechanisms like CERD. She also mentioned the issuance and amendment of regulations that promote equality and protect against discrimination as part of these efforts.

The national policy encouraging equal opportunities in employment is a key initiative aimed at eliminating labor market discrimination. Al-Tuwaijri also emphasized efforts to prevent child labor as a strategic measure against such practices. The establishment of labor courts marks a significant step forward in ensuring labor justice within the Kingdom.

Al-Tuwaijri concluded by reflecting on how King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud founded Saudi Arabia on principles of justice, equality, and rejection of racism. Under current leadership, these principles have evolved into a comprehensive framework addressing racism and racial discrimination through legislative, institutional, and judicial measures.

With inputs from SPA