சவுதி அரேபியாவில் இலங்கை உட்பட ஆசிய நாடுகளைச் சேர்ந்த வீட்டுப் பணியாளர்கள் அடிமைகளாக நடத்தப்படுவதாக மனித உரிமைகள் கண்காணிப்பகம் சாடியுள்ளது.
வீட்டுப் பணியாளர்களின் மனித உரிமைகள் மோசமாக மீறப்படுவதாகவும் அவர்களுக்கு தொழில் வழங்குவோர் தண்டனையிலிருந்து தப்பிவிடுவதாகவும் மனித உரிமைகள் கண்காணிப்பகம் குற்றம் சாட்டியுள்ளது.
பல மாதங்கள், வருடங்களாக சம்பளம் கொடுக்கப்படாமலும் உடல் ரீதியான தண்டனை வழங்கியும் பாலியல் துஷ்பிரயோகம் மேற்கொண்டும் பலவந்தமாக தடுத்துவைத்திருந்தும் தொழில் வழங்குபவர்கள் துன்புறுத்துகின்றனர்.
சவுதியில் 15 இலட்சம் பேர் வெளிநாடுகளைச் சேர்ந்த வீட்டுப் பணியாளர்களாவர். இவர்களில் அநேகமானோர் இலங்கை, இந்தோனேசியா, பிலிப்பைன்ஸ், நேபாளத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்களாவர். வருடாந்தம் துஷ்பிரயோகங்கள் தொடர்பாக ஆயிரக்கணக்கான முறைப்பாடுகள் தெரிவிக்கப்படுகின்றன.
Showing posts with label Saudi Arabia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saudi Arabia. Show all posts
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Abused Indonesian Maid Gets Paltry Compensation
Nour Miyati
Nour Miyati
JEDDAH, 21 May 2008 — A High Court judge in Riyadh, on Monday, awarded SR2,500 in compensation to Nour Miyati, an Indonesian maid whose toes and fingers were amputated following alleged abuse by her sponsor and his wife.
Reviewing a previous ruling, the judge also dropped charges against the wife of Miyati’s sponsor, who had admitted abusing the maid, and overturned the 35 lashes she was sentenced to. Meanwhile, the sponsor was found innocent due to a lack of evidence.
“According to the judge, there was not enough evidence,” said Nasser Al-Dandani, the lawyer appointed by the Indonesian Embassy to represent the maid.
Miyati’s case came to light after her sponsor brought her to a Riyadh hospital in March 2005, afflicted by gangrene in her fingers, toes and a part of her right foot.
She initially claimed her sponsor tied her up for a month in a bathroom and beat her severely, injuring her eyes and knocking out some of her teeth.
However, investigators — who questioned her without the presence of Indonesian Embassy representatives, lawyers or members of the National Society for Human Rights — later claimed the maid had changed her testimony.
Miyati was, subsequently, charged with making false accusations and imprisoned for a few days.
She was then transferred to a shelter at Nahda Women’s Charity Society where, according to social worker Hind Al-Ismaili, she could not take proper care of herself because of her injuries.
It was then that Al-Dandani secured her release from the shelter.
Miyati’s case was delayed several times as her sponsor and his wife repeatedly failed to attend court hearings, prompting the Riyadh Principality to issue an order forcing them to come.
According to sources, the sponsor adopted several tactics to disrupt the case, including a threat to file a SR1 million defamation suit against the maid.
Further to this, in December 2005, a judge at the Court of Summation sentenced Miyati to 79 lashes for making false accusations against her sponsor and his wife — a ruling that was reversed in April 2006.
Speaking about the ruling, Al-Dandani said, “The judge did not consider the injuries and amputations had been caused by the sponsor and his wife despite the medical report… He did not take into consideration that she had not been paid her salary for 18 months, that she was in good health when she came to work here and that when her toes and fingers turned gangrenous she was not taken to hospital early enough.
“Even her broken teeth, her injured eye, which doesn’t function properly, and hearing loss were not considered proof of abuse.”
Judges compensate injuries and lost limbs in car accidents and medical malpractice according to a standard value, he said, adding that according to some estimates, Miyati deserved at least SR400,000.
“Although, we did not ask for a specific amount, we expected it to be fair,” said Al-Dandani.
“The only thing the judge looked at was the report by a committee appointed by the court to evaluate compensations for accidents. This committee of four men did not once see Miyati or speak to her. I don’t know what they based their evaluation on and how the judge could accept that,” Al-Dandani added, saying that he will appeal the ruling at the Court of Cassations.
Reviewing a previous ruling, the judge also dropped charges against the wife of Miyati’s sponsor, who had admitted abusing the maid, and overturned the 35 lashes she was sentenced to. Meanwhile, the sponsor was found innocent due to a lack of evidence.
“According to the judge, there was not enough evidence,” said Nasser Al-Dandani, the lawyer appointed by the Indonesian Embassy to represent the maid.
Miyati’s case came to light after her sponsor brought her to a Riyadh hospital in March 2005, afflicted by gangrene in her fingers, toes and a part of her right foot.
She initially claimed her sponsor tied her up for a month in a bathroom and beat her severely, injuring her eyes and knocking out some of her teeth.
However, investigators — who questioned her without the presence of Indonesian Embassy representatives, lawyers or members of the National Society for Human Rights — later claimed the maid had changed her testimony.
Miyati was, subsequently, charged with making false accusations and imprisoned for a few days.
She was then transferred to a shelter at Nahda Women’s Charity Society where, according to social worker Hind Al-Ismaili, she could not take proper care of herself because of her injuries.
It was then that Al-Dandani secured her release from the shelter.
Miyati’s case was delayed several times as her sponsor and his wife repeatedly failed to attend court hearings, prompting the Riyadh Principality to issue an order forcing them to come.
According to sources, the sponsor adopted several tactics to disrupt the case, including a threat to file a SR1 million defamation suit against the maid.
Further to this, in December 2005, a judge at the Court of Summation sentenced Miyati to 79 lashes for making false accusations against her sponsor and his wife — a ruling that was reversed in April 2006.
Speaking about the ruling, Al-Dandani said, “The judge did not consider the injuries and amputations had been caused by the sponsor and his wife despite the medical report… He did not take into consideration that she had not been paid her salary for 18 months, that she was in good health when she came to work here and that when her toes and fingers turned gangrenous she was not taken to hospital early enough.
“Even her broken teeth, her injured eye, which doesn’t function properly, and hearing loss were not considered proof of abuse.”
Judges compensate injuries and lost limbs in car accidents and medical malpractice according to a standard value, he said, adding that according to some estimates, Miyati deserved at least SR400,000.
“Although, we did not ask for a specific amount, we expected it to be fair,” said Al-Dandani.
“The only thing the judge looked at was the report by a committee appointed by the court to evaluate compensations for accidents. This committee of four men did not once see Miyati or speak to her. I don’t know what they based their evaluation on and how the judge could accept that,” Al-Dandani added, saying that he will appeal the ruling at the Court of Cassations.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
சவுதி வலைப்பதிவாளர் விடுதலையானார்
சவுதி அரேபியாவைச்சேர்ந்த வலைப்பதிவாளர் பவாட் அல் பர்ஹான் (Fouad al-Farhan) என்பவர் 4 மாதங்கள் சிறையில் இருந்தபின்னர் நேற்று சனிக்கிழமை எதுவித குற்றச்சாட்டும் இவர் மேல் சுமத்தப்படாமல் விடுதலையானார்.
Saudi blogger freed
A Saudi blogger was released Saturday after spending four months in prison without being charged, several news outlets reported.
The Saudi government had warned Fouad al-Farhan, who is 33, about his activist blogs before his arrest in mid-December. The government said at the time of his arrest that it was unrelated to state security, according to a Washington Post report. The next month, CNN reported, a ministry representative said Farhan had been arrested "because he violated the regulations of the kingdom."
Farhan's online support of a group of 10 men arrested last year apparently contributed to his arrest. The government says the men are terrorists, the Post reported, while their attorney says that are political activists who wanted to form a civil rights group.
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that restricts freedoms of the press, speech, and assembly.
Farhan told the Post on Saturday that he is happy to be free and was "fairly treated" in detention. He would not comment on anything specifically.
"I will be blogging soon," he told the Post.
Supporters of Farhan had set up a Free Fouad site, which included a petition appealing for his release. According to site, Farhan is the "godfather" of Saudi blogging. "He was among the first Saudis to blog under his real name and has been an outspoken voice for nonviolent reform," the site states.
The Saudi government, which had no comment on the release, blocked Farhan's Web site earlier this month, according to Reuters.
Saudi blogger freed
A Saudi blogger was released Saturday after spending four months in prison without being charged, several news outlets reported.
The Saudi government had warned Fouad al-Farhan, who is 33, about his activist blogs before his arrest in mid-December. The government said at the time of his arrest that it was unrelated to state security, according to a Washington Post report. The next month, CNN reported, a ministry representative said Farhan had been arrested "because he violated the regulations of the kingdom."
Farhan's online support of a group of 10 men arrested last year apparently contributed to his arrest. The government says the men are terrorists, the Post reported, while their attorney says that are political activists who wanted to form a civil rights group.
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that restricts freedoms of the press, speech, and assembly.
Farhan told the Post on Saturday that he is happy to be free and was "fairly treated" in detention. He would not comment on anything specifically.
"I will be blogging soon," he told the Post.
Supporters of Farhan had set up a Free Fouad site, which included a petition appealing for his release. According to site, Farhan is the "godfather" of Saudi blogging. "He was among the first Saudis to blog under his real name and has been an outspoken voice for nonviolent reform," the site states.
The Saudi government, which had no comment on the release, blocked Farhan's Web site earlier this month, according to Reuters.
சவுதி சமயத்தலைவர்கள் வீடியோ கேம்கள் மீது எதிர்ப்பு
சவுதியில் உள்ள மதத்த்லைவர்கள் சிறுவர்கள் விளையாடும் புகழ் பெற்ற வீடியோ கேம் மீது கடுமயான எதிர்ப்பினை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்கள்
Saudi Arabia: Religious leaders attack video games
Riyadh, 25 April (AKI) - Saudi religious leaders have attacked a popular video game, used mainly by children.
According to the Arab TV network al-Arabiya, Saudi Arabia's minister of Islamic affairs has sent a newsletter to all imams in the country, warning about the 'dangers' that could result from using the popular Playstation video game.
"They are dangerous games, because they teach the wrong thing to children," read the newsletter.
"They have a negative influence on the personality of children, and thus from an Islamic point of view, it is not acceptable to waste time in this manner."
Imams will have to ask parents to be more attentive with regard to their children's education and urged them to supervise them, so they do not become "victims" of these games.
"These games cause mental problems in children," said Badel Muhsin ibn Uthman Bin Baz, a professor from the Imam Saud university, according to Saudi daily al-Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia: Religious leaders attack video games
Riyadh, 25 April (AKI) - Saudi religious leaders have attacked a popular video game, used mainly by children.
According to the Arab TV network al-Arabiya, Saudi Arabia's minister of Islamic affairs has sent a newsletter to all imams in the country, warning about the 'dangers' that could result from using the popular Playstation video game.
"They are dangerous games, because they teach the wrong thing to children," read the newsletter.
"They have a negative influence on the personality of children, and thus from an Islamic point of view, it is not acceptable to waste time in this manner."
Imams will have to ask parents to be more attentive with regard to their children's education and urged them to supervise them, so they do not become "victims" of these games.
"These games cause mental problems in children," said Badel Muhsin ibn Uthman Bin Baz, a professor from the Imam Saud university, according to Saudi daily al-Riyadh.
சவுதியில் உள்ள பெண்களுக்கு மனித உரிமைகள் கிடையாது
சவுதிப்பெண்கள் வேலைக்கு செல்வதானாலும் சரி,பயணம் செய்வதானாலும் சரி, கல்வி கற்க செல்வதானாலும் சரி, திருமணம் செய்வதானாலும் சரி, ஏன் சுகயீனத்துக்கு மருந்து எடுக்க சென்றாலும் சரி அவர்கள் அப்பாவிடம், அல்லது கணவனிடம் அல்லது பெற்ற மகனிடமிருந்தாவது அனுமதி பெற வேண்டும். சவுதி ஆண்கள் சவுதி பெண்களின் பாதுகாவலர்கள். இந்த பாதுகாவலர்கள் பெண்கள் தங்களின் அடிப்படை உரிமைகளைக்கூட அனுபவிக்க விடாமல் தடுக்கிறார்கள்.
Saudi women have no Human Rights
Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship of women and policies of sex segregation stop women from enjoying their basic rights, the group Human Rights Watch said in a report released this week. Saudi women often must obtain permission from a guardian (a father, husband, or even a son) to work, travel, study, marry, or even access health care.
The Saudi government sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over women. Saudi women won’t make any progress until the government ends the abuses that stem from these misguided policies.
In a 50-page report, “Perpetual Minors: Human Rights Abuses Stemming from Male Guardianship and Sex Segregation in Saudi Arabia,” Human Rights Watch draws on more than 100 interviews with Saudi women to document the effects of these discriminatory policies on woman’s most basic rights. “The Saudi government sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over women,” said Farida Deif, women’s rights researcher for the Middle East at Human Rights Watch. “Saudi women won’t make any progress until the government ends the abuses that stem from these misguided policies.”
The authorities essentially treat adult women like legal minors who are not entitled to authority over their lives and well-being. Saudi women are similarly denied the legal right to make even trivial decisions for their children. Women cannot open bank accounts for children, enroll them in school, obtain school files, or travel with their children without written permission from the child’s father.
Saudi women are prevented from accessing government agencies that have not established female sections unless they have a male representative. The need to establish separate office spaces for women is a disincentive to hiring female employees, and female students are often relegated to unequal facilities with unequal academic opportunities.
Male guardianship over adult women also contributes to their risk of confronting family violence, making it difficult for survivors of violence to avail themselves of protection or redress. Social workers, physicians, and lawyers told Human Rights Watch about the near impossibility of removing guardianship even from male guardians who are abusive.
Read the report here
Saudi women have no Human Rights
Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship of women and policies of sex segregation stop women from enjoying their basic rights, the group Human Rights Watch said in a report released this week. Saudi women often must obtain permission from a guardian (a father, husband, or even a son) to work, travel, study, marry, or even access health care.
The Saudi government sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over women. Saudi women won’t make any progress until the government ends the abuses that stem from these misguided policies.
In a 50-page report, “Perpetual Minors: Human Rights Abuses Stemming from Male Guardianship and Sex Segregation in Saudi Arabia,” Human Rights Watch draws on more than 100 interviews with Saudi women to document the effects of these discriminatory policies on woman’s most basic rights. “The Saudi government sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over women,” said Farida Deif, women’s rights researcher for the Middle East at Human Rights Watch. “Saudi women won’t make any progress until the government ends the abuses that stem from these misguided policies.”
The authorities essentially treat adult women like legal minors who are not entitled to authority over their lives and well-being. Saudi women are similarly denied the legal right to make even trivial decisions for their children. Women cannot open bank accounts for children, enroll them in school, obtain school files, or travel with their children without written permission from the child’s father.
Saudi women are prevented from accessing government agencies that have not established female sections unless they have a male representative. The need to establish separate office spaces for women is a disincentive to hiring female employees, and female students are often relegated to unequal facilities with unequal academic opportunities.
Male guardianship over adult women also contributes to their risk of confronting family violence, making it difficult for survivors of violence to avail themselves of protection or redress. Social workers, physicians, and lawyers told Human Rights Watch about the near impossibility of removing guardianship even from male guardians who are abusive.
Read the report here
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
