RIYADH: Nearly 20 months after its introduction, the Shoura Council will discuss the anti-discrimination and hate speech draft law on Monday and present it to the members, Okaz newspaper reported.
This comes after demands from intellectuals and writers to discuss and approve such a law. The proposed draft law criminalizes all acts involving contempt of religion, hatred or discrimination.
The draft law, presented by a number of members including Dr. Latifa Al-Shaalan, former members Dr. Abdullah Al-Fayfi and Dr. Haya Al-Manea, is based on main objectives which include the criminalization of discrimination in all its forms against individuals and groups, and the prevention of derogation of individuals and groups due to color, sex, race or sect.
It also aims to prevent the spread of tribal, regional and sectarian strife or that which is based on intellectual and political classifications, in addition to protecting places of worship and preventing attacks on them, insulting sacred sites, or damaging historical symbols of identity.
The draft law would also seek to curb hate speech and help the government curb the discourse of discrimination and hatred.
The proposed draft law criminalizes the use of mosques and places of worship to incite hatred, while it provides for the referral of the extremists whose views lead to murder or crimes to the legitimate judiciary.
Some of those who presented the draft law justified the move due to the lack of a law that punishes discrimination between individuals and groups whose acts or speech could incite hatred and fuel violence among components of society.
They pointed out that its pillars are to strengthen the values of the Islamic religion and to combat extremism, preserve national security in the current political situation, and to prevent attacks on places of worship.
It also aims to protect the social fabric and the state against plots, challenges and endeavors that incite strife and division. It also aims to ban abuse of people on the Internet by rationalizing the use of social media.
Saudi Shoura Council to discuss draft anti-discrimination and hate speech law
Saudi Shoura Council to discuss draft anti-discrimination and hate speech law
Saudi Cabinet condemns ‘blatant’ Iranian aggression; affirms Kingdom’s right to respond to threats
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has warned it reserves the “full right” to respond to Iranian aggression following a series of “blatant and cowardly” strikes targeting the capital and the Eastern Province.
The warning came during a late-night Cabinet session on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman via videoconference, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
During the session, the Cabinet “reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s full solidarity with the brotherly countries whose territories were subjected to blatant Iranian aggression”, signaling a united front against regional threats.
The session followed a dramatic escalation of hostilities, including a direct drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh.
Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, confirmed that while air defenses intercepted multiple threats, the embassy compound sustained a “limited fire and minor material damage.”
General Al-Malki further announced that Saudi forces successfully intercepted and destroyed eight additional drones targeting the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj early Tuesday morning.
In a sharp rebuke of the embassy strike, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) cited a flagrant violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“The repetition of this flagrant Iranian behavior... will push the region toward further escalation,” the Ministry stated, underscoring that these provocations occurred despite Riyadh’s explicit policy of not allowing its airspace or territory to be used as a launchpad for strikes against Iran.
Global condemnation and solidarity
The Cabinet expressed deep appreciation for the wave of international support as world leaders condemned Tehran’s “indiscriminate” behavior.
In a joint show of force, the US and GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) along with Jordan stood united, labeling the strikes a “dangerous escalation” and reaffirming a collective right to self-defense.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and India. — including Prime Minister Narendra Modi — voiced strong solidarity with the Kingdom. The UK government confirmed its forces are engaged in “defensive actions” to maintain regional stability.
Amid the heightened military tension, the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s hospitality efforts for GCC citizens currently stranded at Saudi airports due to regional airspace closures. The crown prince reaffirmed that the state would mobilize all capabilities to support brotherly nations in any measures they take to restore regional peace and stability.
