HRC warns against depriving young women of their legitimate rights

RIYADH — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) warned guardians against depriving young women of their legitimate rights, especially by using pressure tactics or leveling false allegations. The commission emphasized that young women must be given their due rights guaranteed by the Islamic Shariah and the Kingdom’s laws and regulations.

“All the concerned authorities must follow these regulations and not bypass any one of them. They must adhere to the regulations in line with the reforms introduced by the Kingdom under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to empower women and secure their rights,” the commission said in a statement while emphasizing that the recent decisions and amendments made to many regulations, including the regulations related to women’s travel, work, social insurance, and civil status, fall within the framework of empowering women and promoting their rights.

HRC said that some families and parents resort to filing complaints about young women’s absenteeism or absconding in a malicious way, and this happens especially in the case of those who have reached the legal age.

The Commission underlined the need to codify reports of absenteeism, absconding, and deprivation of rights in line with the reforms adopted by the Kingdom in the framework of empowering women, as well as in line with the amendments made to many relevant laws and regulations in this regard.

HRC cited instances in which the family or guardians violate the rights of young women. These include exposing them to psychological or physical pressure and harm, depriving them of their inheritance rights, and denying the rights guaranteed to them by the Islamic Shariah and the Kingdom’s laws. The Commission confirmed that it had come to the conclusion through the analysis of a number of such complaints that most of the claims are malicious.

The cordial atmosphere within the family, spreading the spirit of dialogue and affection among family members, making young women familiar with their Shariah and legal rights and duties, and educating them about these rules are among the most prominent factors that prevent such incidents.

The family has, however, the right to report about absenteeism or absconding of young women so as to ensure their safety and exposure to any crime, the commission noted.