The Center for Democracy & Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR)
Save the Date!
Wednesday, July 29th
CDHR Presents:
How Empowering Saudi Women Can Undermine Islamist Extremism
CDHR, in collaboration with other supporters of Saudi women’s battle to achieve their denied and natural human rights, invites you to attend an important and thought-provoking conference: How Empowering Saudi Women Can Undermine Islamist Extremism, which will be held on Wednesday July 29, 10 AM-2 PM on Capitol Hill, in the Capitol Visitor Center Room HVC 201 A & B.
Many of you are familiar with the institutionalized and repressive political, religious and social conditions imposed on Saudi women. Marginalization of Saudi women is not only morally unconscionable, but also denies Saudi society the contributions and talent of half its native work force, while empowering extremist elements that control educational and religious institutions. Empowering Saudi women will tilt the balance in favor of moderation not only in Saudi Arabia, but throughout Arab and Muslim communities worldwide.
Because of its centrality to Islam, most Muslims and Arabs, especially the most vulnerable, look to Saudi Arabia for religious guidance, employment and handouts. The international community, especially the US, has much to gain by stabilizing Saudi Arabia under the rule of law and enabling the full participation of Saudi women in the decision-making process. The domination of Saudi religious extremists over the educational and religious institutions, with the blessing of the Saudi ruling family, perpetuates severe gender segregation, exclusion of women from the work force and all decision making processes.
It is our firm belief based on our intimate knowledge of Saudi Arabia, its people, religious groupings, ruling family and institutions, that empowering Saudi women will undermine religious extremism and its byproduct, terrorism. The American people, regardless of national origins, ethnicity, or religious orientation have a vested interest in supporting Saudi women to gain their full rights. This will serve to counter the Saudi deadly religious ideologues whose agenda is global hegemony and obliteration of democratic institutions.
Please Join us on Wednesday July 29th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Capitol Visitors Center Room HVC 201 A&B. Seats are limited so please RSVP. To reserve your spot or for further information contact Lauren Baker at lauren@cdhr.info or call us at 202.558.5552
Mission Declaration:
The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (CDHR) is an independent and non-partisan 501 (c) (3) organization established to accentuate the importance of democratizing Saudi Arabia through a peaceful transformation of its existing political, religious, educational, economic and social institutions. Due to its centrality to Islam and its position as the largest exporter of petroleum, Saudi Arabia plays a major religious and economic role in the lives of Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide. Thus, stabilizing Saudi Arabia under a participatory governing system and rule of law is of supreme importance to regional and global peace, as well as economic stability over time.
CDHR researches, interprets and analyzes Saudi current events, as well as domestic and foreign policy and provides pertinent information and analysis to legislators, media, students, educators and the public at large. As a promoter of human rights and the establishment of non-sectarian laws in Saudi Arabia, CDHR supports Saudi democratic reformers, features information about them on its website and rallies support for their release from Saudi prisons.
CDHR Promotes:
Political Reform: Transformation of the Saudi political structure from its current autocratic one-family-rule to a participatory political structure where all citizens’ and expatriates’ civil liberties and full rights are protected under the rule of codified non-sectarian laws. Find Out More!
Religious Freedom: Freedom of worship, religious thoughts, practices and choices. Find Out More!
Women’s Rights: Equal rights for all Saudi women, the eradication of child and forced marriages, honor killings, stoning, genital mutilation, pleasure (mit’ah) marriage, the four wives system and the removal of gender segregation rules throughout society. Find Out More!
Minority Rights: Full and equal rights for Muslim and non-Muslim religious minorities under the rule of law. Find Out More!
Economic Reform: Privatization of government owned industries, public utilities and independent economic institutions. Find Out More!
US Legislation: Learn about current U.S. legislation affecting human rights and democracy in Saudi Arabia, and encourage your Congressional Representatives to support these important initiatives. Find Out More!
A Non-sectarian Judicial System: An independent court system staffed by highly qualified jurists who interpret and apply publicly approved non-sectarian laws where the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of status, and expatriates are equally protected under the rule of law.
Transparency and Accountability: Creation of an independent national treasury where all national revenues and disbursements are accounted for and open to public scrutiny.
Reformed Education and Religious Institutions: The management of all educational and religious institutions should be turned over to non-governmental bodies. As required by the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights Dec. 10, 1948, courses about women, human rights and other religions must be part of all educational levels in Saudi Arabia.
Freedom of the Press and Flow of Uncensored Information: Abolition of censorship of all forms of expressions and information in and outside of the country.
CDHR’s Activities:
1) Operates an informative and thought provoking website where it features its inclusive biweekly newsletter with about 5,000 recipients worldwide. CDHR’s director analyzes current Saudi news and activities for the benefit of the readers who would otherwise take the highly censored Saudi news for face value.
2) Operates a blog, mostly for new developments, complementary to its website.
3) Operates a Facebook profile, and intends to maximize its use when funds can be raised to hire a part time monitor to keep on top of its activities.
4) Organizes in-depth public conferences and round table discussions in Congress and the community, where qualified speakers present current information and analysis about Saudi policies, US-Saudi relations and the Saudi role in the financing and spread of its austere brand of Islam, Wahhabism.
5) Conducts on-going research on human rights, women’s and minority rights, rights of expatriates, religious tolerance and freedom of worship and expression.
6) Networks with other groups, think tanks and Congressional staffers in Washington, to provide them with current information about Saudi Arabia as it relates to the US and its interests.
7) Networks with pro democracy and human rights groups in the US, Europe, and some individuals in the Arab and Muslim communities.
8) Provides presentations at conferences and other events, utilizing the knowledge of the Executive Director as a native of Saudi Arabia intimately familiar with its history, composition, and peoples.
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The Center for Democracy & Human Rights in Saudi Arabia is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization registered in Washington, DC. Your donation is tax deductible and will help CDHR continue its democratic, nonviolent activities.
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The Center for Democracy & Human Rights in Saudi Arabia\\
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***CDHR Releases Major Policy Statement***
The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia is proud to announce the release of a comprehensive policy paper addressing political/judicial reform in Saudi Arabia, women’s rights, religious freedom, and economic reform.
This document will continue to be updated in the immediate future as we incorporate the final stages of our research into the existing product. Given the importance and urgency of these recommendations, we feel it is necessary to make these chapters available to the public without delay. Policy Statement
Distinguished Guest Speakers at CDHR’s Reception for the Release of the Policy Statement on October 3, 2007 included Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona, Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana, Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee, Jennifer Windsor (Executive Director of Freedom House), and Christoph Wilke of Human Rights Watch.
The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
1050 17th St. NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 558–5552; (202) 413–0084; Fax: (202) 536–5210