Monday, June 16, 2008

Saudi Arabia: Human rights, lawyers bodies sign MoU

The Human Rights Commission in the Kingdom and the National Committee for Lawyers in the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here on Saturday.

Human Rights Commission Chairman Turki Bin Khalid Al-Sudairi and Chairman of the National Committee for Lawyers Dr. Majed Mohammed Qaroub signed the MoU aimed at consolidating cooperation to achieve the aspired goals.

Al-Sudairi said his body and the National Committee for Lawyers aim at serving the society and boosting human rights in order to reach justice and fairness for the weak and the wronged sections of the society. The two sides agreed on a 7-point mechanism for cooperation including exchange of human rights studies and researches. The two organizations plan lectures to upgrade the legal awareness in the society, Dr. Qaroub said.

The MoU also includes cooperation with the committee to hold workshops for legal departments to acquaint them with new judicial regulations as well as to know the views and comments of the National Committee for Lawyers on the existing regulations.

This would help in bolstering human rights through the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Qaroub said.

The National Committee for Lawyers, according to the MoU, will be a tool to monitor any violations of human rights. The Kingdom needs at least 50,000 judges, 200,000 qualified and well-trained assistants and 10,000 lawyers, Dr. Qaroub said.

He stressed the importance of activating the legal regulations. Litigation should be restricted to only lawyers licensed by the Ministry of Justice, he said.

-- Saudi Gazette

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