News Releases from CDHR
Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Prince Sultan is reported near death from incurable pancreatic disease
Washington, DC (January 27, 2009). There have been speculative reports about Crown Prince Sultan’s deteriorating health. CDHR has recently received reliable information that Prince Sultan is close to death from advanced pancreatic disease. Prince Sultan, who was appointed Defense Minister in 1962, came to New York on November 23, 2008 to seek treatment. According to credible sources, Prince Sultan was told there was nothing that could be done to save him. He is reported to be resting in Morocco now, but no more information was given out as to why he is in Morocco. Some Saudi eye witnesses reported seeing a large number of Saudi security personnel wandering in the main cemetery in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, a few days ago. Such activities happen only when a senior member of the Royal Family passes away.
CDHR has also received information regarding a fierce competition between Prince Sultan’s sons and one of their uncles, Prince Abdul Rahman, who happens to be a deputy Defense Minister and has been rearranging the ministry to take over even before Sultan passes away.
Prince Sultan has maintained a strong alliance with the United States and is seen by many Saudis as a powerful and decisive figure. His death could create royal crises and a leadership vacuum in an important, but unstable country that is threatened by internal and external forces.
The newly elected U.S. President Obama, the world community, and the people of Saudi Arabia could be facing a very critical succession of power in Saudi Arabia. All those concerned with the welfare of the people of Saudi Arabia hope this succession will be peaceful, and that state affairs will be placed in able and prudent hands. The Royal Family has planned a process, by means of the Allegiance Commission (created in 2006), designed to help this occur. However, the process is supposed to take place after Sultan’s ascent to the throne. His departure before the process takes effect could trigger an unprecedented family feud and could strengthen King Abdullah and his wing of the ruling family, an event many Saudis, including some prominent royals, would like to see happen.
The basic problem is that Saudi Arabia is using an archaic family system for the control of the state, and the succession of power. Under the current plan, the focus of power is reserved for the Royals. If their system falters, the country can falter. The ruling family has banned the evolution of civil society, political parties and political alternatives. A breakdown of the current system could have grave consequences for Saudi Arabia, the world, and the United States because of its close ties to the Saudi monarchy.
However, the Saudi royal family has a habit of keeping senior royals on life support for years, as is the case of former King Fahd, who was struck with a heart attack in 1996 and was kept alive until 2005. This is normally done to allocate the power of the departing family member properly before they let him die.
CDHR promotes the peaceful evolution of more democratic forms of governance, including the spread of free elections which include women, the devolution of responsibilities to elected officials, and openness and public accountability in public affairs. We understand that this can take time, and that the citizens and the Royals would have to grow into their new roles. However, taking this direction, in the long run, will bring stability and peace to Saudi Arabia.
We hope the upcoming succession process will be peaceful, inclusive and productive. We have no favorite or enemy in the succession process. We want the best for the people of Saudi Arabia, but what we are promoting is a better and more participatory system where all citizens share in the decision-making processes.
Transform Saudi Institutions
The Times’ piece is glaring proof that the Saudi ruling princes and their ostensible enemy, Osama bin Laden, have identical objectives in Iraq: no democracy, no majority rule, no women’s or minority rights and, above all, very limited oil production, which could bring prices down and undermine the Saudi monopoly. Read More
Saudi Arabia Should Ensure Detainees’ Rights
Saudi Arabia should disclose the charges facing ten men recently arrested for “helping terrorism” and ensure the men are protected from torture or other ill-treatment, the Center for Democracy and Human Rights said today in a letter to Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. Read More
Iraq Study Group Report Highlights Saudi Inaction
The Iraq Study group released its report in Dec. 2006, detailing its recommendations to the Bush administration on how best to proceed with the war in Iraq. A key aspect of these recommendations was the Group’s determination that regional diplomacy will be paramount if a stable and permanent solution is to be found to the ongoing sectarian strife. The role Saudi Arabia is to play in any such solution was given much thought in the report, and the findings about the Saudi role in the Iraq conflict were revealing in several respects. Read More…
Saudi Arabia Blocks Promised Access to Prisons
When a delegation from Human Rights Watch (HRW) traveled to Saudi Arabia in December 2006, the delegates were told prior to their trip that they would have access to the country’s numerous prison facilities. However, when the delegates arrived in Saudi Arabia, they were denied access and told that they couldn’t speak with any prisoners because the guards were the only ones who could authorize such visits. This should not have come as a surprise to anyone who knows anything about Saudi methods. Arbitrary arrests, interrogations and verdicts based on the moods of Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif and religious judges are commonplace. Read More…
Turki al-Faisal’s Intrigues
Causing a storm of speculation, allegations and confusing reports, Turki al-Faisal suddenly and unexpectedly resigned from his high profile position as Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. in mid-December. Contrary to the usual process of the Saudi ruling dynasty, where officials often learn of their dismissal through the media, Turki al-Faisal told the Washington Post he was leaving his position to spend time with his family. An examination of his relationship with the royal family raises questions about the real reasons for his resignation and reveals the dysfunction of the Saudi system. Read More…
In Saudi Arabia, Divorce can have Shocking Aspects
Forced marriages, marriages between family members and those of radically different ages, and chauvinist tribal traditions enforced by a combination of austere political and arbitrary religious judicial systems are taking a high toll on Saudi society, especially its women. Read More…