The Human Rights Council opened its 47 session (21 June – 13 July 2021) in Geneva, as Saudi Arabia continues to violate its international obligations and ignores the criticisms leveled against it during the last session.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights , Michelle Bachelet, noted in the opening statement that Saudi Arabia was among the countries that had raised concerns about its human rights situation during the previous session of the Council. Bachelet asserted that Saudi Arabia continues to practice arbitrary detention and does not protect freedom of opinion and expression.
Bachelet expressed her regret that the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Human Rights Council comes in the light of serious human rights setbacks in the framework of the erosion of democratic and civil space.
Saudi Arabia has faced a number of criticisms during previous sessions of the council, and has reiterated its promises to implement human rights obligations. Nevertheless, violations have continued, and very worrying signs have been recorded since the last cycle.
Days before the start of the 47 session, Saudi Arabia executed the minor Mustafa Al Darwish, in contrary to her promises before the council, in relation to the execution of minors and it still threaten others. In addition to the death penalty file, human rights violations have continued, including arbitrary arrests, torture and the pursuit of activists and defenders, with no prospect of real reforms.