Shoura mulls nationality for children of Saudi mothers

By Mariam Al-Sagheer Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — Shoura (Consultative) Council members have suggested allowing children of Saudi mothers to obtain the country’s nationality regardless of their place of birth. Shoura Council member Ata Al-Subaiti said the nationality law has not been amended for 60 years. “There have only been mild alterations in 2004 and 2007. The proposal aims to amend three articles in the nationality law. It is currently very difficult for children of a Saudi mother and a non-Saudi father to obtain the nationality,” said Al-Subaiti. Shoura Council Security Committee member Latifah Al-Shaalan said the proposal was put together by Ata Al-Subaiti, Haya Al-Minai and herself. “The nationality law has not been amended for 60 years. The Kingdom’s economic, administrative and legal status has changed over time. We need to update the nationality law along with it. Children of Saudi mothers and non-Saudi fathers are deprived of many social and security rights because they do not have the Saudi nationality,” said Al-Shaalan. She added the rate of Saudi women marrying non-Saudi men is rising. “A Saudi woman should have the right to grant her children the nationality. The current point system in place makes it very difficult to obtain the Saudi nationality,” said Al-Shaalan. Study of women driving rejected The Shoura, according to a AFP report, has turned down a proposal to study the issue of women’s driving. At a meeting this week, a male member of the appointed council suggested the study, said another member who declined to be named. He said the inquiry would have looked at: “What are the difficulties if they start? What is required to allow them to drive?” But the proposal failed to get the required 50 percent plus one support among the council’s 150 members, who include 30 women. Shoura Council approves amendment of regulations Meanwhile,  the Shoura Council approved the amendment of several articles in the regulations for the protection of water sources, public utilities, and treated waste water and its reuse, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Wednesday. This came in the 60th ordinary session of the Shoura Council chaired by its chairman Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Shoura Assistant Chairman Dr. Yahya Al-Samaan stated. The Shoura Council decisions came after listening to the opinions of the Water, Agriculture and the Environment Committee. The amended article 9 of the regulation for protection of water sources said that anyone who violates the regulation and its executive bylaw will face a maximum fine of SR100,000 and he will be named and shamed in a newspaper issued in his place of stay at his expense. Article 5 of the regulation for protection of public utilities states that the violator (of this regulation) will be jailed for a maximum period of two years plus a fine not exceeding SR100,000 or one of these two penalties for whoever intentionally damages or cuts off utility lines or installations. This applies to the actual perpetrator of his accomplice. He will be named and shamed in a local newspaper issuing from his place of stay at his expense. The amended Paragraph 2 of Article 29 of the regulation for treated waste water and its reuse states that if it is a repeat violation, the violator will face tougher penalties. It is permissible to cut off the supply of treated waste water to the violator for a period not exceeding six months. In its discussions of the annual report for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority for the fiscal year 1436/1437H, the Council stressed the previous decisions aiming at supporting the administrative and technical aspects of paramedic services so that the Authority carries out its functions until 2022 in line with the Kingdom Vision 2030. The Committee recommended supporting the Authority’s scholarship program so as to develop the skills of paramedics and the Authority to bring them to world standards.