By Fatimah Al-Debis

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH – The authorities in the Kingdom have directed judges in all courts across the Kingdom that their judicial verdicts should conform to the fundamentals of human rights laws.

The move demonstrates Kingdom’s utmost keenness to ensure judicial verdicts are not in contravention with local as well as global standards on human rights, sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

The authorities have also underscored that the judgments shall adhere to these criteria, mainly with regard to freedoms of opinion, expression and the impartiality of media.

Saudi Arabia has always been keen in protecting human rights especially after became a signatory to five documents and three optional protocols of the United Nations relating to human rights.

The Kingdom is also among 36 countries that have fulfilled their commitment to submit their periodic reports to the UN.

It is noteworthy that the most prominent of these international conventions include the rights of the child, fight against torture, elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, and discrimination against women.