State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2013 - Saudi Arabia

Although King Abdullah made some efforts at reform in 2012, restrictions remain tight for women and non-Sunni Muslims. Saudi law neither recognizes nor protects freedom of religion. In addition, restrictions on those freedoms have been implemented by the religious police or Muta'ween.

Shi'a Muslims comprise 10-15 per cent of the population in Saudi Arabia. The majority of the population are Sunnis who follow a strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. There is also a small number of Christians who are largely expatriates, and also Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and others.

The majority of Shi'as live in the country's Eastern Province, especially in al-Ahasa and al-Qatif. Human rights groups say there is systematic discrimination against Shi'a Muslims in education, employment and justice. Shi'as are also under-represented at the higher levels of government.

Members of Saudi Arabia's Shi'a community have repeatedly protested in the wake of the 'Arab Spring' in 2011, calling for their rights to be respected. According to HRW, the Saudi security forces have killed 11 Shi'a protesters since 2011, while other sources report somewhat higher figures. Al-Qatif has witnessed a number of demonstrations in support of Shi'as in Bahrain and calling for reforms to their own situation, which is characterized by discrimination and marginalization. Hundreds of Shi'as were arrested during 2012, particularly in the Eastern Province, in connection with protests. While many have been released, some 180 protesters remained in detention at year's end. Demonstrations also resulted in violence, causing injuries as well as deaths. The detention of the influential Shi'a leader Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr led to an increase in protests and resulting violence. Al-Nimr was arrested in early July because of his statement that Shi'as should be respected and live in dignity, otherwise the Eastern Province should secede. Four men were killed in the demonstrations that followed the Sheikh's arrest – three died during protests immediately after El-Nimr's arrest and a fourth was killed five days later in al-Awamiyah.

Further arrests in the Eastern Province led to short-term detentions and concerned Shi'a religious practice. The only explanation given was usually that these were in connection with private worship. It seemed as if these detentions were primarily in areas where the population is more evenly split. Where Shi'a Muslims represent a local majority, there was apparently some improvement in the possibilities to pray publicly.

Recently, the Saudi authorities arrested some Shi'a Muslims and charged them with spying for Iran. Shi'a Muslims insist that they are innocent and that there is only a spiritual link between them and Iran.

Although King Abdullah has sponsored dialogues with religious groups, there is no freedom of religion for non-Sunni Muslims. Public expression of Christianity and other non-Muslim religions is banned. Mosques are the only public places of worship in Saudi Arabia, and the construction of churches, synagogues or other non-Muslim places of worship is not allowed. In addition, the 35 Christian Ethiopians who were detained in December 2011 for 'illicit mingling' during a private religious service were deported in August. The detainees claimed that they were arrested because of their Christian faith, and several human rights organizations reported that the police interrogation was mainly about their faith. Twenty-nine of the Ethiopians were women, and they were subjected to strip searches.

In February, Hadi al-Mutif was released after 18 years behind bars. He was convicted of insulting the Prophet, although according to HRW the judges showed bias in the conduct of al-Mutif's case on account of the fact that he belongs to the minority Isma'ili Muslim community. He was only freed after his repentance was accepted by the chief Mufti.

During 2012, the government school textbook reform project continued, resulting in the elimination of some intolerant messages, but discriminatory language remains. Some content still justifies the exclusion and killing of Muslim minorities and those deemed to be 'apostates', while Christians and Jews are reportedly described as violating monotheism.

Women's rights

Although King Abdullah has made some reforms, many restrictions on women remain. In January 2013, King Abdullah appointed 30 women to the all-male Shura Council (Consultative Assembly) for the first time. There is still separation between the two sexes inside the Council and they have to speak through a communication system and enter through special gates; but it is a step that should be welcomed. The Council will also have four Shi'a members and one of them is a woman. Women will also have the right to vote in 2014 municipal elections. According to HRW, women are banned from travelling or going through medical procedures without permission from their male guardians. For example, in July an operation for a woman was postponed at the King Fahd hospital because her male guardian was not there to authorize it. In addition, there was controversy surrounding the news that male guardians were receiving automatic text messages when their female dependents crossed the borders of the country.

In March two women-staffed police stations opened for the first time in Jeddah and Riyadh to encourage women to use police facilities. However, violence against women continues to go unpunished. In May a court convicted a man who assaulted his wife, but it was a lenient sentence: to learn by heart five parts of the Qur'an and 100 sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.

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