Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Human Rights Society Offers Legal Aid to Local Complaints | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh- President of Saudi Arabia’s National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) Mufleh al Qahtani revealed that the body he chairs has assigned local lawyers to look into cases put forth by plaintiffs before courts and judicial departments.

“Despite the positive cooperation we have with law firms providing legal assistance to some cases presented to the National Society for Human Rights, a slowdown in initiating or filing these cases has been registered,” Qahtani said in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The slowdown in legal processing of complaints forced the association to resort to employing its very own legal aid offices.

Qahtani added that the majority of referred cases are seeking court appeals or are defendants looking to find apt legal representation.

On the labor force behind the legal department at the association, Qahtani said that there is a good enough number of legal representatives active within the society and who study each case and provide fitting legal advice.

As for the types of suits adopted by the NSHR, Qahtani said that they range from issues dealing with labor, civil status, administrative, and some dealing with other criminal acts.

Most of the legal aid offices the association cooperates with are parties that offer help for no charge.

Established in 2004, NSHR takes up the responsibility of receiving and following up complaints with respective authorities, in addition to monitoring the lawful implementation of Saudi Arabia’s commitments to human rights under international conventions.

The society aims to protect and defend human rights in accordance with provisions of the Islamic Shariah law and related constitutional regulations. Its mission is anchored to participating in building a society of equity, equality and rule of law according to the Islamic teachings that call for tolerance and rejection of violence and extremism.

It also works on ensuring the enforcement of internal regulations of the Kingdom pertaining to human rights.