Saudi society most ripe for change: Analyst

Political commentator Daoud Khairallah says the Saudi society is probably the most ripe for change and the people have the best chance to rise against their ruling regime now.

Khairallah, a professor of law at Georgetown University, told Press TV in an interview on Wednesday that Saudis desperately need institution of democracy and respect for human and civil rights.

“The Saudi society is in a bad need for that (democracy) and the ruling authority in Saudi Arabia is the least susceptible to changes like this.”

Khairallah stated that he would not be surprised to see “more repercussions” given the Saudi government’s incitement of sectarian violence across the kingdom.

As recently as Tuesday, people held demonstrations against the Al Saud regime in the holy city of Mecca and the central city of Buraidah. They called for the downfall of the royal family and demanded the release of political prisoners.

“Among all Arab societies, the Saudi society is the most ripe for change, the most anxious to have some kind of participatory government, some kind of respect of [for] human rights, some kind of respect for citizens’ rights, civil rights, some kind of control on corruption and what is happening with the Saudi wealth,” Khairallah noted.

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, primarily 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 security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province.

Amnesty International has called on Saudi authorities to stop using excessive force against the protesters.

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