أعلنت الخبيرة المستقلة للأمم المتحدة المعنية بتمتع كبار السن بجميع حقوق الإنسان، الدكتورة كلوديا ماهلر، أنها ستقوم بزيارة إلى المملكة العربية السعودية في الفترة من 20 إلى 30 أبريل 2025 بعد تلقيها دعوة من الحكومة.
According to the stated objective of the visit, the Independent Expert will assess the human rights situation of older persons and the progress made in implementing the State's obligations to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. She will also identify challenges and formulate recommendations regarding the realization of all human rights of older persons.
The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights notes that the visit of the Special Rapporteur is a very important step to show the reality of the cooperation with the United Nations human rights mechanisms that Saudi Arabia announces and praises in its official statements, especially since it has to date ignored many requests for visits by special rapporteurs concerned with issues of concern in Saudi Arabia. Since 2006, Saudi Arabia has received only 4 rapporteurs, while ignoring or rejecting 16 requests for visits, including the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel treatment, the Special Rapporteur on executions and extrajudicial killings, and other rapporteurs.
While the Special Rapporteur confirmed that among the parties she wants to hold meetings with during the visit as a means of gathering information are representatives of NGOs, civil society organizations and academia, the organization points out that Saudi Arabia prevents any real and effective activity of NGOs and imposes an absolute silence on civil society. Therefore, the organization fears that official meetings, including those with NHRIs, will be used to paint an unrealistic picture or omit important aspects of the rights of older people.
The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights had submitted a report prior to the Special Rapporteur's visit to Saudi Arabia, highlighting in particular the situation of the elderly and civil, political, social and economic rights.
The organization also urged the Special Rapporteur to visit prisons and see some of the cases of elderly detainees who are subjected to serious violations.
The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) fears that Saudi Arabia's invitation to the Special Rapporteur is part of its campaign to wash its image and use UN mechanisms. ESOHR believes that the best way not to use this visit by Saudi Arabia is to insist on meeting with members of the community and seeking to ensure their safety, and to focus on the aspects that the Saudi government is trying to overlook, especially with regard to civil and political rights.