Friday, September 5, 2008

Saudi Arabia: HRC opens women’s wing in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Human Rights Commission (HRC) announced [Sep 3] the opening of its women’s branch here to look into cases of human rights violations against women and children.

“‘Dignity of women and childhood support’ is the motto of this new wing,” said Wafiqah Al-Dakhil, the newly appointed head of the women’s wing.

She added that its aim is to create awareness about the laws pertaining to women and children through campaigns and define rights as established by Islam.

Al-Dakhil said the new wing would seek the help of volunteers and experts from all parts of the Kingdom to accomplish its mission. She also registered her thanks to HRC President Turki Al-Sudairy for the establishment of the new wing that would concentrate on women and children.

She said she looks forward to expanding the existing section by adding new departments.

“Our activities would include organizing programs for raising awareness about children and their families on children’s rights; receiving children’s complaints; and providing legal intervention in guardianship, citizenship issues and child abuse cases,” she added.

The new wing will have a team of specialists in psychology and sociology, who will receive complaints relating to violence, sexual harassment, arbitrary divorce, rape and personal cases.

By Mohammed Rasooldeen, Arab News

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