Saudi human rights violations censured in Austria

The Saudi regime’s human rights violations and its oppressive approach to the demonstrations in the kingdom have been censured in Austria.

According to a recent report published by the Austrian Courier newspaper, a group of parliamentarians in Austria have strongly criticized the Al Saud regime for committing human rights abuses.

On July 8, Saudi security forces opened fire on demonstrators in the Qatif region of Eastern Province, killing three people and injuring several others.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in Eastern Province.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.”

On July 6, Austria’s parliament approved the creation of an inter-religious dialogue center in Vienna, which is supported and financed by Saudi Arabia.

However, the Green Party and the Freedom Party of Austria have criticized the formation of such a center in Vienna.