Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) monitored a total of 243 cases related to human rights last year. The Eastern Province stood first with 86 cases, the highest number of (35.39 percent), and it was followed by the Asir region with 61 cases (25.10 percent), according to a report in Al-Watan newspaper.

The southern Jazan region came third with 26 cases, representing 10.70 percent, and it was followed by Riyadh with 22 cases (9.05 percent), Madinah 16 cases (6.58 percent), Al-Jouf 15 cases (6.17 percent) and Al-Qassim 9 cases (3.70 percent). The Makkah and Hail regions reported three cases each (1.23 percent) while the Tabuk region recorded the lowest number — two cases (0.82 percent).

Cases related to criminal justice are the highest with 92 in number (37.86 percent), followed by 46 health cases (18.93 percent), 30 educational cases (12.35 percent), 27 protection from violence cases (11.11percent), and nine social care and identity of nationality cases (3.7 percent).

There are also 28 cases (11.52 percent) in other areas including equality and non-discrimination, freedom of opinion and expression, marriage and family formation, adequate standard of living, privacy and information security, ownership, cultural rights, healthy environment, development and other domains.

The HRC’s mechanism monitored these cases after getting information about them from various sources including newspapers, magazines, social media sites and video clips on the Internet.

Moreover a number of violations were detected during the visits and tours carried out by the Commission officials, the newspaper reported, adding that HRC has taken legal measures in these cases and that is in accordance with the provisions of the human rights laws.