UN chief hails voting rights for Saudi women
September 30th, 2011 - 9:17 am ICT by IANSUnited Nations, Sep 30 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the decision to grant voting rights to women in Saudi Arabia.
“The secretary-general welcomes recent announcements by the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, including notably those granting women in Saudi Arabia, for the first time, the right to vote and stand in municipal elections — as well as to become members of the Shura Council,” Xinhua reported quoting a statement released by Ban’s spokesperson Thursday.
In Saudi Arabia, the Shura Council is the unelected advisory body which vets legislation but has no binding powers.
The secretary-general “believes that these represent an important step in the realization by women in Saudi Arabia of their fundamental civil and political rights,” said the statement.
Women in Saudi Arabia, in compliance with a strict version of Sunni Islam, have been banned from traveling or driving without the consent of a male relative. Rights activists have long been fighting for more rights for women.
King Abdullah announced his decision in his address to the Shura Council, saying the kingdom refuses to marginalize women in all walks of the society.
- Saudi women get right to vote - Sep 25, 2011
- Saudi envoy calls on PM, reiterates cooperation with India - Mar 29, 2011
- Voting rights for Saudi women mooted - Jun 07, 2011
- Antony's visit: India, Saudi Arabia seek stronger ties - Feb 15, 2012
- $50 mn Saudi aid for Turkey quake survivors - Oct 28, 2011
- India, Saudi Arabia to set up joint defence panel (Lead) - Feb 15, 2012
- Saudi King Abdullah names Prince Naif crown prince - Oct 28, 2011
- Saudi king names new defence minister - Nov 06, 2011
- Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador from Syria - Aug 08, 2011
- GCC leaders welcome Gulf Union proposal - Dec 20, 2011
- China, Saudi Arabia vow to enhance ties - Jan 16, 2012
- Manmohan Singh leaves for Saudi Arabia with vast agenda - Feb 27, 2010
- Saudi prince found guilty of killing servant - Oct 19, 2010
- China, Saudi Arabia pledge to promote exchanges - Jan 15, 2012
- jamia to run 50-bed medical centre - Apr 28, 2012
Tags: abdullah bin abdul aziz, advisory body, al saud, ban ki moon, binding powers, custodian, holy mosques, majesty king abdullah, municipal elections, realization, relative rights, saudi women, shura council, spokesperson, strict version, sunni islam, un secretary general, voting rights, women in saudi arabia, xinhua