Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) reiterated that it considers depriving women of inheritance as violence against them. Dr. Amal Al-Habdan, member of the HRC, said that denying women of their right to inherit is a crime and that the laws in the Kingdom, especially the judiciary, are addressing this issue seriously.

The commission’s interventions came after receiving complaints related to unfair treatment over inheritance being meted out to some women by a section of their family members.

These women expressed apprehensions over the denial of their rights to inheritance due to their hesitance to claim their rights for fear of adversely affecting their relationship with family members.

The lack of some women’s proper awareness about their rights guaranteed in the Kingdom’s laws also prevents them from claiming their rights to inheritance, it was pointed out.

Dr. Amal said that the commission is currently coordinating with competent authorities to track such cases in a profound way and inform them all aspects of the issue.

“The HRC would employ all the means of justice to redress the grievances of the affected women and will ensure them all the necessary support in obtaining their rights with proper monitoring of their conditions.

“The commission would also make available of the data on these issues so as to carry out studies and closely follow them as part of addressing them at the grass root level,” she said.

Dr. Amal also underlined the need for beefing up efforts to enhance awareness among members of the Saudi society, especially about the danger of such practices and their economic, social and psychological repercussions on women, their families and the community in the neighborhood.

“HRC encourages any woman who suffers harm in this regard to lodge a complaint with the relevant authorities. The commission will receive complaints from the affected women or those who have stood up to similar cases through electronic or telephone communication channels or by personally contacting one of its offices,” she added.