NGO - Mossawa Centre on Item VI
Madam Chairperson,
My name is [Infitel Abusaude] the Shiite minority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eastern
region. With some Shiites in other areas there are 2.5 million Shiites in Saudi Arabia
Around 70 per centre of the community in the region especially in al Quatif and al Ahsa.
Oil in Saudi Arabia is concentrated in this region and is the lifeline of the economy and is
the main source income. Its revenues constitute 85 per cent of the national income, more
than 10 million barrels are exported daily. Saudi Arabia has the greatest oil reserve in the
world, however this region is deprived on the developmental level in terms of municipal
projects that do not meet the requirements and needs of the people and positions
occupied by Shiites are mid-level. The Eastern region is one of the biggest industrial zones
in the world, but the level of Shiite employees is minimal. They are deprived of
possibilities of promotions in spite of their capacities.
Higher level positions in government sector are very limited and Shiites do not have
access to them even the private sector excludes them because of the general exclusion
they are subjected to and especially in the fields of security and information. They suffer
from poverty, unemployment, in spite of the vast revenues are taken from their region
while other regions benefit from them. Areas where Shiites are a majority have weak
infrastructure and insufficient education and healthcare as well as other utilities. In
Al-Cutive there are 450 homes made of corrugated iron that can collapse at any point. The
absorption capacity in a single hospital there is insufficient for the million inhabitants in
the region. And there are 365 beds only.
Therefore, I recommend the government to lift grounds for discrimination and incitement
and hatred towards this faith. And particularly through the rule of law in order to benefit
from the competencies available in the country and to set up a national commission where
they would be members in order to monitor the situation and to allow them to invest in
educational infrastructure and prepare their curricula they are part of the national society
as it is said in the declaration on minority. Positive measures should also be taken to
guarantee their participation in the economic development included in drawing up plans
against poverty and balance development and with just distribution of resources. It is
important to take special and additional temporary measures to overcome the effects of
discrimination and to bring back a balance in this community. It is also important to
quickly exceed to the two covenants and take immediate measures to fulfil obligations as
was indicated in the UPR, I would like to Article 26 of the Constitution of Saudi Arabia
which is the basis of many reservations the government should protect human rights
under Islamic Sharia, Islamic Sharia only calls for justice and equality and an end to all
discrimination. Finally, it is important to achieve full citizenship and equality between
Shiites and others. This is not only the calling of one group but it is a necessity for the
creation of a state that has a positive role in the international community based on the
rules of the united nations in line with all international instruments signed by Saudi Arabia
and in line with the UNDM. Thank you.