Saudi Government Contestant Two

Since 1932, Saudi Arabia has been ruled by King Abdullah’s family. As an absolute monarchy, election have little impact on the government. Type of Government The country’s constitution is the Koran, and a strict interpretation of Islam, known as Wahhabis, governs all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. The legislative body is the Council of Ministers which is made up of conservative religious leaders. They will select a successor for the king among the crown princes of the Saudi royal family. Click for Information on the Constitution Type of Legislature

Rights to Vote Men 21 and older vote for ½ of the local officials and ½ of the members of the legislature. The King recently granted women the right to vote and run in public elections for the first time, but not until However, voting has little impact in an absolute monarchy where local elections have little influence. Would you consider the elections in Saudi Arabia to free/fair? Do all citizens get to vote for a significant portion of the government? Click for Questions to Consider when writing your Critique

Freedom of Speech/Press Saudi Arabia has one of the most censored media environments in the world. The content in Saudi Arabia's domestic mass media is under the control of the government. Saudi’s government controls the nations radio and television broadcasts. All must pass through censors before it makes it on air or in print. Furthermore, while the press is said to be privately owned, the editor-in-chief of each newspaper is appointed by the government. In addition, the government has some of the strictest Internet practices in the world. Internet speed and access are limited by law. Criticism of the government, the royal family, or religious leaders and their decisions tends to not be tolerated, and does not pass the censors. In some cases, it can lead to journalists being banned and news offices closing in the kingdom. In this tightly-controlled media environment, there is much that cannot be said by citizens. In Saudi Arabia, there are unspoken laws for reporting on Saudi Arabia from Saudi Arabia. Minimally, there are reports of blogs being shut down or blocked for statements that were viewed to be negative about the Kingdom and/or the royal family. Others have been arrested and spent months in jail. Foreign journalist risk losing their visas and being sent on the next flight out of the country. Stop the Press! What about Foreign Media?? (such as American’s visiting Saudi) CLICK

Freedom of Religion Islam is the official religion. Although no law requires citizens or passport holders to be Muslim, almost all citizens are Muslims. Children born to Muslim fathers are by law considered Muslim, and conversion from Islam to another religion is considered apostasy and punishable by death. Blasphemy against Sunni Islam is also punishable by death, but the more common penalty is a long prison sentence. There have been no confirmed reports of executions for either apostasy or blasphemy in recent years. Religious freedom is almost non-existent. The Government does not provide legal recognition or protection for freedom of religion, and it is severely restricted in practice. As a matter of policy, the Government guarantees and protects the right to private worship for all, including non-Muslims who gather in homes for religious practice. This usually means in secret because even privately worshipping non-Muslims have been arrested and sentenced to hard labor, beatings, or deportation. However, the public practice of non-Muslim religions is prohibited. Sharia (Islamic Law) applies to all people inside Saudi Arabia, regardless of religion. lacking worship for God or religion Click- What is blasphemy? Total desertion of one’s religion or religious principals Click- What is apostasy?

Rights to a Just Judicial Process Saudi Arabia’s Judicial Branch is called the Ministry of Justice which is governed by the Islamic law, called the Sharia. Religious police roam the country enforcing rules and arresting or flogging those caught violating them. Does the Punishment fit the Crime??? Punishments are known to be severe. Including: beheadings for murder, amputation of hands for stealing, stoning for adultery, and lashes for disobedience of Islamic laws. Non-Muslim testimony can be thrown out A women’s testimony does not carry the same weight as a man’s King has final approval on all decisions. He can pardon those convicted. Testimony Hmmm…is Justice being served? Is it possible to receive a fair trial?

Rights for Women Saudi Arabia is the most gender- segregated country in the world. Women are band from doing many things, not just driving. Once considered an adult, women must wear an Abaya, black cloak, in public at ALL times. Women must attend girls-only schools and university classes. They must eat in family sections of restaurants which are separated from areas used by single men Girls are not allowed to date, so their marriages are arranged by their parents. Often, women do not meet their husbands until they have become engaged. Cannot vote, until 2015 Difficult to get jobs after college due to gender segregation in the work place. Women must have permission from a male relative before they can get a job, leave the country, travel within the country, open a bank account or undergo a medical procedure was the first year Saudi allowed women to compete in the Olympic games. Click Here