Arabia. He added that ‘‘blocking these sites is tantamount to depriving Saudi Arabia of
its rights as a member of the UN Human Rights Council’’ and that ‘‘blocking those
websites violates clause 19 of the International Human Rights Declaration, which deals
with freedom of expression and clause 23 of the Arab Human Rights Charter.’’ 34
In May 2009, 13 female Saudi journalists filed complaints with the Ministry of
Interior accusing the local online newspaper Kul Al-Watan (All of the Homeland) of
‘‘defaming and distorting the image of the Saudi media.’’ The journalists said the online newspaper published an offensive report entitled ‘‘Saudi Women in Red Nights,’’
in which it alleged that prostitution, alcohol, and drugs have become widespread in
Saudi society and that female journalists rely on illicit relationships with newspaper
bosses to get support and fame. One of the female journalists accused the writer of
taking advantage of an absence of censorship in online publishing in Saudi Arabia. 35
Shortly thereafter, the minister of culture and information announced that Saudi
Arabia intends to enact laws, regulation, and legislation for newspapers and Internet
Web sites. This regulation will require Saudi-based Web sites to get official licenses
from a special agency under the purview of the Ministry. The minister said the proposed regulation aims to deter ‘‘dangerous’’ writing in newspapers and on Web sites. 36
Surveillance
Like many countries in the Middle East, the Saudi authorities monitor Internet activities. In March 2009, Internet cafe ´s were ordered by the Ministry of Interior to install
hidden cameras and provide a record of names and identities of their customers. 37
The Saudi religious police have also expressed an interest in practicing online surveillance. Members of the religious police (the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice) asked the chairman of the Saudi Shura (Consultative) Council to
enable them to have access to blocked Web sites, ‘‘to monitor immoral practices by
visitors of these sites.’’ 38 The religious police have argued that some young people
‘‘get involved in negative practices away from the eyes of the Saudi authorities’’ on
these blocked Web sites, and are therefore striving to put a stop to the ‘‘immoral
practices’’ online. 39 The chairman of the Shura Council, however, questioned the legitimacy of the request and stated, ‘‘These justifications must be supported by clear evidence, otherwise there is no need for it.’’ 40
ONI Testing Results
The OpenNet Initiative conducted in-country testing on three ISPs: STC, National
Engineering Services and Marketing (Nesma), and Arabian Internet and Communications Services (Awalnet). The three providers blocked the same Web sites, as expected
given the centrally administered filtering system.
Saudi Arabia
565
its rights as a member of the UN Human Rights Council’’ and that ‘‘blocking those
websites violates clause 19 of the International Human Rights Declaration, which deals
with freedom of expression and clause 23 of the Arab Human Rights Charter.’’ 34
In May 2009, 13 female Saudi journalists filed complaints with the Ministry of
Interior accusing the local online newspaper Kul Al-Watan (All of the Homeland) of
‘‘defaming and distorting the image of the Saudi media.’’ The journalists said the online newspaper published an offensive report entitled ‘‘Saudi Women in Red Nights,’’
in which it alleged that prostitution, alcohol, and drugs have become widespread in
Saudi society and that female journalists rely on illicit relationships with newspaper
bosses to get support and fame. One of the female journalists accused the writer of
taking advantage of an absence of censorship in online publishing in Saudi Arabia. 35
Shortly thereafter, the minister of culture and information announced that Saudi
Arabia intends to enact laws, regulation, and legislation for newspapers and Internet
Web sites. This regulation will require Saudi-based Web sites to get official licenses
from a special agency under the purview of the Ministry. The minister said the proposed regulation aims to deter ‘‘dangerous’’ writing in newspapers and on Web sites. 36
Surveillance
Like many countries in the Middle East, the Saudi authorities monitor Internet activities. In March 2009, Internet cafe ´s were ordered by the Ministry of Interior to install
hidden cameras and provide a record of names and identities of their customers. 37
The Saudi religious police have also expressed an interest in practicing online surveillance. Members of the religious police (the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice) asked the chairman of the Saudi Shura (Consultative) Council to
enable them to have access to blocked Web sites, ‘‘to monitor immoral practices by
visitors of these sites.’’ 38 The religious police have argued that some young people
‘‘get involved in negative practices away from the eyes of the Saudi authorities’’ on
these blocked Web sites, and are therefore striving to put a stop to the ‘‘immoral
practices’’ online. 39 The chairman of the Shura Council, however, questioned the legitimacy of the request and stated, ‘‘These justifications must be supported by clear evidence, otherwise there is no need for it.’’ 40
ONI Testing Results
The OpenNet Initiative conducted in-country testing on three ISPs: STC, National
Engineering Services and Marketing (Nesma), and Arabian Internet and Communications Services (Awalnet). The three providers blocked the same Web sites, as expected
given the centrally administered filtering system.
Saudi Arabia
565