WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud should advocate for democratic reforms and human rights in Saudi Arabia, US Senator Peter Roskam’s press office said in a statement.
“Today, Congressman Peter Roskam and Congressman Jim McGovern joined with 65 House colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud… encouraging him to serve as an advocate for human rights and democratic reforms in Saudi Arabia,” the statement, issued on Wednesday, said.
The Congressmen said King Salman should use the power transition period to strengthen education and initiate judicial reform, lift restrictions on social media and public gatherings, and religious minorities to exercise their faiths.
“As the leader of Saudi Arabia you set an example through the policies you adopt at home and the way you use your considerable influence abroad,” the letter said.
Saudi Arabia, a key US ally in the Middle East, has troubling human rights record, including restrictions on freedom of expression and religion as well as lack of equal rights for women, the use of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, among other abuses, according to the US State Department.
