Saudis to look into women's rights issues

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 10 (UPI) -- The top official in the Saudi Human Rights Commission said the country's judiciary is called on to investigate women's rights issues.

Saudi women are calling for more rights in the country, which curtails their role in society based on strict Islamic principles.

Bandar Bin Mohammed al-Aiban, a top official in the Saudi Human Rights Commission, said he was calling for an investigation into certain issues related to women's rights in the countries.

"Scientific studies will be carried out to find out who our most high-risk citizens are and what needs to be done to raise human rights awareness in this regard," he told London's pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat.

He said topics of discussion would include issues such as free choice in marriage, legal matters related to divorce and inheritance and domestic violence.

The Saudi government in March announced plans for municipal elections as the country moved to quell signs of political fracture.

Recommendations were sent to the government Monday by the country's Shura Council that would give women the right to vote in municipal elections under Islamic law.

Shura Council decisions, however, aren't binding.