A U.N. human rights watchdog called on Saudi Arabia to end severe discrimination against girls and to repeal laws that allow the stoning, amputation, flogging and execution of children. UN’s Committee on the Rights of the Child examined the kingdom’s record of compliance with a U.N. treaty protecting the rights of people under the age of 18 and voiced deep concern that Riyadh still does not recognise girls as full subjects of rights and continues to severely discriminate against them in law and practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship.
The Committee urged Saudi authorities to repeal all provisions contained in legislation which authorise the stoning, amputation and flogging of children. Saudi Arabia should unambiguously prohibit the use of solitary confinement, life sentences on children and child attendance of public execution, said the Committee. It said traditional, religious or cultural attitudes should not be used to justify violations of their right to equality.