Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR
1629 K St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006

July 17, 2018

CDHR’s Analysis and Commentaries

Prince Mohammed: Regression in Progress

CDHR Commentary: Soon after what many Saudis hoped would be the beginning of a more participatory form of government, a  restructured absolute system began to emerge. The habitual Saudi methods of arbitrary arrest, incarceration without charges and due process, intolerance of all forms of expression and royal supremacy are intensifying under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed. Known for his contempt for other wings of the ruling family, life-long mistrust of Americans (intensified during the Obama Administration) and rejection of public participation in the decision-making processes, King Salman’s dream came true after inheriting the throne in 2015. He dismantled the traditional royal succession system and put the country’s fate into the hands of his novice 30-year-old son, Prince Mohammed. This unprecedented display of power consolidation was said to be necessary due to economic crisis.  Read full analysis: www.cdhr.info

Vogue Arabia: Emasculation of Basic Decorum

CDHR Commentary: By featuring and glorifying a glitzy Saudi princess, Hayfa bint Abdullah, dressed in ivory custom-designed flying attire and “perched in the driver's seat of a vintage red Mercedes-Benz convertible,” as a representative of Saudi women, Vogue Arabia intentionally emasculated the reality on the ground in Saudi Arabia. Most Saudi women are struggling to make ends meet due to Crown Prince Mohammed’ s austerity measures, a reality from which Princess Hayfa and other royals are spared. Read full analysis: www.cdhr.info

It Took Saudi Women’s Determination Not a Prince to End Driving Ban

CDHR Commentary: As expected and rightly so, many Saudi women are celebrating their victory (as exemplified by their victory gestures) over the Saudi political and religious elitist s’ misogynistic-based policies. After centuries of the Saudi/Wahhabi ruling dynasties’ denigrating treatment of women, Saudi women struggle to attain some of their cruelly usurped basic rights are beginning to pay off. On June 24, the regime’s driving ban collapsed not due to change of heart, but to the Saudi resilient women’s determination to render the male-dominated system’s and society’s repression of women are on their way to be a history of impediments and indignities. Read full analysis: www.cdhr.info

Arresting another Pioneer Women’s Rights Advocate

CDHR Commentary: Professor Hatoon Al-Fassi is a highly respected educator, historian, sociologist, author and columnist. She, like other prominent Saudi women’s peaceful rights advocates, was arrested for promoting wo men’s rights and equality. Like other Saudi women, she felt she is being counted as a citizen after receiving her Saudi driver’s license as she declared, “It is as if I have been recognized as an equal citizen. Celebrating will be the first aim, then I will see where I need to go on that day.”  Read full analysis: www.cdhr.info

Islam, Vienna and the Viennese: Echoes of the Past?  

CDHR: Commentary: After centuries of repeated ‘attacks or jihads on the Christian kingdoms of Europe,’ the once feared and considered invincible Uthman Muslim army was dealt a defeat at the gates of Vienna  in September, 1683. Outgunned and outnumbered by the globally dominating mechanized Uthman armed forces, an assortment of the Hapsburg Empire’s army and other paramilitary Christian groups (with the help of the Catholic Pope) united, outwitted and trapped the Uthmans. It is believed that defeat marked the end of the Uthman Empire’s military intimidation of and attacks against Christian Europe.  Read full analysis: www.cdhr.info

Your contributions to CDHR’s efforts to address tough issues, invoke thought-provoking discourse and suggest peaceful solutions are crucial. We need to continue our educational outreach worldwide. CDHR is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt educational organization.

Please go to our website www.cdhr.info and click on donate.

Or send checks to this address:  

Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR
1629 K St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 558-5552; (202) 413-0084; Fax: (202) 536-5210
ali@PROTECTED; www.cdhr.info