April 16, 2004

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF PRINCE ABDULLAH IBN ABDUL AZIZ PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ OPENS IN RIYADH A TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM TITLED "JUDICIARY AND LAWS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA" ORGANIZED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE. THE SECOND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: SAUDI ARABIA'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS INDEPENDENT. RESULTS OF THE 8TH MEETING OF THE SECRETARIES GENERAL OF SHOURA AND NATIONAL COUNCILS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE ARAB GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC). Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Of Defense And Aviation and Inspector General said that Saudi Arabia's judicial system is independent. "The judiciary is an independent authority and is not controlled by anybody except God and His book," he said. Speaking to reporters after opening a seminar on "The Judiciary and Justice Systems in the Kingdom", Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz denied that Saudi lawyers were suffering because laws were not being applied to everyone. "Our doors are open to lawyers. They can come and discuss their problems if they have any," he added. Earlier, addressing the seminar's opening session, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Al Sheikh, the Grand mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, blasted Western media reports linking Islam with terrorism. "Is it not an injustice to accuse the nation of Islam of terrorism and aggression?" the mufti said. He said the Islamic judicial system considered ruler and ruled as well as rich and poor equally. "Justice is the hallmark of Islam," he added. He also stressed that Islam protects human rights. Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan, Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, said the fact that the Kingdom's judicial system is based on Shariah ensured security and stability in the country. Under the auspices of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, opened in Riyadh the two-day symposium "Judiciary and Laws in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" organized by the Justice Ministry. In a speech on the occasion, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Al Sheikh, the Grand mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, stressed the importance of justice in Islam and underlined the independence of the judiciary in the kingdom. The Grand Mufti rejected attempts to accuse the Islamic nation of terrorism and underscored that human rights are protected and maintained by Islam. In a similar speech, Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan, Chairman of the Supreme Judiciary Council, stressed that the judiciary in the kingdom is based on Islam which guarantees security and justice. Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan spoke on the judiciary system in the kingdom and highlighted the different stages of litigation. He stated that the kingdom maintains human rights and rejects terrorism, oppression and export of calamities and problems to human kind. The regional representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Arab countries Ameen Makki Madani said in a speech the symposium underlines the Saudi strong support for justice and human dignity according to teachings of the Holy Quran and Islamic law. The Minister of Justice Dr Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh delivered a speech in which he said that the Kingdom's judicial laws are based on the Islamic Sharia. He added that the symposium aims at highlighting sources and bases of the judiciary, the justice system and the unprecedented legal guarantees in the fields of human rights protection and justice enforcement in the Kingdom. In a press statement, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General praised the prominent status of the judiciary in the Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of the symposium. Commenting on the speeches delivered at the symposium, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz said that these are sufficient replies to those who try to make an authority over the judiciary, stressing that the judiciary is autonomous and has an independent authority. Replying to a question that lawyers have suffered from non-implementation of judicial systems by employees from civil and military sectors, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz noted that Saudi newspaper Al-Watan always fabricates news and tells lies, stressing that it is incorrect that lawyers have suffered. The Second Deputy Prime Minister added, '' Our hearts and doors, are open for lawyers at any time, so do the concerned ministers.'' On the forthcoming Arab Summit's date and place, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General said that the matter is being dealt with by Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard and Arab leaders. With regard to the development of the judicial systems within the framework of Administrative Organization Committee, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz said that it is up to the leadership to announce news about that. In reply to another question on the tasks of Higher Military Council, the Prince said that tasks have been already announced, noting that it will hold a meeting soon. On the other hand Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received the Ministers of Justice of United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman who were visiting the kingdom to participate in the symposium on Saudi legal system. The audience was attended by a number of officials. The Symposium on Judiciary and Justice Systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, organized by the Ministry of Justice, wrapped up its meeting held in Riyadh. A number of officials attended the closing session. The Symposium on "Saudi Justice and Judicial Systems" ended its three-day deliberations with an announcement of a 5-point communique. During the three-day event, the participants of the symposium discussed a number of research papers on the judicial systems, including the conditions for nominating, recruiting and swearing in new judges; history of judiciary in the Kingdom; independence of judicial authorities; unity of litigation; judicial hierarchy; the administrative dimension in the judicial system; use of computer technology in judicial administration; prospects of electronic-proceedings in courts; and the introduction of the electronic-signing procedure. A number of officials attended the closing session. As many as 250 national, regional and international delegates attended the symposium featuring 82 speakers and 30 research papers. The symposium was organized by the Ministry of Justice under the patronage of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. It was graced and opened by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Discussions of the symposium handled the following nine points: One: Handling justice and judicial systems in the Kingdom as well as the contribution of scholars in the matter of the sources of judicial rulings and judicial systems. The symposium stressed the comprehensive form of Islamic Sharia and its viability at all times and places as it is able to accommodate all new concepts of all ages. Two: In the domain of the system of judicial proceedings, the symposium dealt with filing procedures which sustain individual rights and the best ways taking into consideration modern technology applications. The penal procedures came for the benefit of considering human dignity according to the Islamic Sharia. And for the preservation of real estate wealth, the registration of real estates system is meant to organize this aspect to guarantee the rights of their owners according to new rules that contribute to the investment development in the society. Three: It deals with extending equal rights to individuals as regards referring to the assistance of lawyers in all phases of penal lawsuits of a public nature. Four: It deals with the effect of the systems pertaining to investment development and what it achieves in terms of commercial security that contributes to growth of local and international businesses. Five: it deals with the issue of preparing judges by supporting them with training courses in the field of judicial system before starting their career as judges. The speakers have affirmed in their papers submitted at the symposium the following: a: The sources of justice and its rules in the Kingdom are the sources of the Islamic Sharia. b: Justice in the Kingdom and its rules does not prohibit the use of other nations' experiences in the judicial system. c: These judicial systems are based on principles and constant specialized efforts. d: The integration of judicial system in the Kingdom is to render a judgment in all judicial disputes with the importance of specialization in all proceedings. e: The harmony of judicial systems with the Kingdom's commitment toward international rules in the field of investment and combating crime, corruption, terrorism and money-laundering. f: The Kingdom's judiciary's readiness to activate with the issues that concern international society that would meet the demand of seeking good and rejecting vice according to the Islamic Sharia. g: Making clear what the concerned judicial sectors have done in terms of mechanisms to activate legitimate principles in the field of preserving rights and protecting society from crimes. h: A focus on the assisting role of justice which is done by governmental and private institutions in the Kingdom in the field of human rights. i: Elaborating in the use of information technology in all judicial and authentication fields with the continuous extension of training and focus on seeking judicial knowledge. The participants lauded the Ministry of Justice for organizing this symposium. Meanwhile UAE's Minister of Justice Mohammed Ibn Nekhirah, Qatari Minister of Justice Hasan Ibn Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Omani Minister of Justice Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Al-Hana'ai and Kuwaiti Minister of Justice Ahmed Baqer Al-Abdullah left after taking part in the Symposium of Judiciary and Justice Systems in Saudi Arabia which was organized by the Ministry of Justice. They were seen off by Undersecretary of Ministry of Justice Abdullah Ibn Mohammed Al-Yahya. On the other hand the Chairman of Shoura (Consultative) Council Dr. Saleh Ibn Abdullah Ibn Humaid opened in Riyadh the 8th meeting of Secretaries General of Shoura and National Councils in member states of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). At the outset of the meeting, Dr Ibn Humaid welcomed the attendees and said that during the last meetings he saw considerable development and keenness for hard works in the parliamentary sessions. He wished them progress and success in their steady efforts to resolve problems that stand in their way. The Secretary Generals of legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation countries had arrived in Riyadh to participate in the 8th meeting of Secretary Generals of the Shoura councils, national assemblies and houses of representatives of the GCC member states. The Chairman of Bahrain' Shoura Council Abdul Rahman Ibn Ibrahim Abdul Salam, Kuwait's Chairman of the People Assembly Shareedah Abdullah Al-Moushirji, Secretary General of United Arab Emirates' Federation National Council Mohammad Salem Al Mazroui, Secretary General of Qatar's Shoura Council Fahd Ibn Mubarak Al Khayarin, and Secretary General of Oman's Shoura Council Abdul Qader Ibn Salem Al Thahab were received by the Secretary General of Shoura Council Dr. Homoud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Badr. The 8th meeting was inaugurated by the Chairman of Shoura Council Dr. Salih Ibn Abdul Rahman Ibn Homaid. Secretaries General of legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries resumed the evening session of their 8th conference. During the meeting, the legislators, who represent the GCC Shoura councils, national assemblies and houses of representatives, discussed the proposed statute of the organization, its emblem and the conference's draft communiqué. On the other hand, Chairman of Shoura Council Dr. Salih Ibn Abdullah Ibn Homaid held a dinner party in honor of the guests. The event was also attended by the GCC ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom. Secretaries General of legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries concluded their 8th meeting in Riyadh. A final statement said that the Secretaries emphasized the importance of supporting various offices of the councils and formed a committee to discuss working papers. They also approved the formation of a working team including officials from offices of parliamentary branches to set an appropriate mechanism on cooperation and coordination among various bodies of the councils. The statement said that an advisory guide was recommended for these offices. The Secretaries stressed that joint training plan should include internal and foreign training programs for the offices' employees. The Secretary General of Shoura Council Dr. Homoud Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Badr a dinner party in honor of Secretaries General of legislative councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries concluding their 8th meeting. The party was attended by a number of officials of the Shoura Council. ‏At the 8th meeting of the Secretaries General of ‏ Shoura Council and parliaments in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries the Kuwaiti delegation was headed by National Assembly ‏Secretary General Sharida Al-Muoshirji.‏ ‏ Speaking to KUNA Al-Moushirji said Kuwait presented two working papers ‏at the meeting, the first on the experience of the Kuwaiti parliamentary ‏friendship committees and their role in bolstering relations with countries ‏ around the world.‏ ‏‏ The second paper is on developing the parliamentary committees, he said.‏ ‏‏ ‏The first meeting of the Secretary Generals of Gulf parliaments was called ‏ on by the Kuwaiti National Assembly in 1996 with an objective to exchange ‏ experiences and views and to coordinate among GCC parliaments.‏ ‏ ‏The meeting also aims to develop the skills of those working in the ‏ ‏committees and to better utilize the sub-committees that work in line with the ‏ Secretary Generals, he added. ‏ On the other hand the Secretary General of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul Rahman Al-Atiyyah reiterated the keenness of the GCC leaders on developing the skills of the personnel of the auditing bureaus in the gulf region. ‏ In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Atiyyah highlighted the significant role being played the Standing Committee for Training the Personnel of the Auditing Bureaus in the GCC States. ‏ The Standing Committee is planning to organize a training program under the title of 'Design and Preparation of Training schemes and Training Techniques'. ‏ During the last two weeks, a preparatory committee comprising a number of trainers at the GCC auditing bureaus held a series of meetings at the Saudi General Auditing Bureau (GAB) to prepare the aforesaid training program. ‏ The training program will be organized in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ‏ Meanwhile the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have decided to launch a media campaign to combat terrorism and highlight its evils, the executive director of the Joint Programs Production Establishment has announced. ‏ According to Hashem Al-Shaikh, the campaign will include the production of three documentaries, 30 TV and radio messages in addition to a 15-episode drama. All will call for tolerance and the rejection of extremism and terrorism, the Jeddah-based Arab News reported. ‏ "The campaign calling for tolerance and acceptance of others is being launched because of events that have taken place in the region. It is directed at citizens of the Gulf states," he said. ‏ The campaign will highlight calls by GCC leaders to confront terrorism in all its forms and to renounce violence. ‏ The programs will deal with tolerance in Islam and its teachings, which rejects terrorism and promote human interaction, he said. ‏