EP urges Saudi Arabia to improve women’s rights

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS (AA) - Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) condemned human rights breaches in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Despite reforms made for women, the Saudi political and social system remains discriminatory and effectively makes women second-class citizens, according to a press release of EP.

The MEPs urged the male guardianship system for women, which includes health care services, choice of residence, international travel and marriage, should be immediately dismantled.

They also asked for women’s rights activists and defenders under imprisonment to be released in the country.

Emphasizing the average number of executions per year, at least 126 between 2014 and 2017, MEPs called on Saudi authorities to introduce an immediate moratorium on the death penalty, which is still used to punish non-violent crimes.

The resolution was adopted by 517 votes in favor with 10 against.