Geneva - Mrs. Virginie Duby-Muller, a member of the French National Assembly, inquired the Minister of State in charge of Equality between Men and Women in France, Marlène Schiappa, about the rights of women in Saudi Arabia, based on a recent report of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor.
Muller warned that the report highlighted the reality of women’s daily lives is still far from these ambitious promises of reform despite recent promises of reform of their rights, such as the right to drive, travel freely, and to work.
Muller's inquiry of the French minister addressed the role of Paris in promoting women's rights in Saudi Arabia, based on Euro-Med Monitor’s report issued on International Women's Day, March 8.
Muller warned that the report highlighted the reality of women’s daily lives is still far from these ambitious promises of reform despite recent promises of reform of their rights, such as the right to drive, travel freely, and to work.
Saudi women continue to live under the guardianship system, which requires them to have a parent or husband responsible for controlling their choices when it comes to marriage, travel, work or receiving health care, she said.
Muller pointed out that at the same time, dozens of Saudi activists were arrested for calling for implementing government’s promises, wondering about measures the French government could take to highlight the alarming facts mentioned in the report.
Mrs. Virginie Duby-Muller has been a member of the French National Assembly since 2012. The French Parliament consists of the National Assembly and the Senate.
Background
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor published a detailed report discussing the situation of Saudi women in light of reforms announced by the Saudi authorities. The report revealed the continuing of restrictions that undermine their fundamental rights, which are internationally guaranteed, despite statements about adopting a policy of openness that enables them to exercise all their rights.