RIYADH — The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has not stopped Saudi Arabia's human rights reforms with women being the biggest beneficiaries, according to a specialized study. It was revealed in the study that the Kingdom ranks 26th in providing high-quality healthcare services. The study focused on the extent of the pandemic's impact on the full enjoyment of peace and security, human rights, and development from the perspective of human rights education as these three axes are linked and are important in putting an end to the pandemic. The study, which was published by the University for Peace, an intergovernmental organization with university status that was established by treaty at the UN General Assembly, dealt with national and international measures in combating the pandemic, and the Kingdom's contribution to this in its capacity as the chair of the G20 for the year 2020. It also covered the most prominent national, regional, and international efforts the Kingdom has made in combating the pandemic and limiting its effects. The study referred in this regard to the excellent health services provided by Saudi Arabia. On top of this was the Kingdom's commitment to providing support of $500 million to international organizations to support their global efforts to combat coronavirus. With regard to the right to health, the study drew attention to the precautionary measures taken by Saudi Arabia, such as suspension of attendance at work; temporary suspension of travel of citizens and expatriates to and from the Kingdom; prevention of social gatherings; as well as the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for free treatment of those infected with the virus, including citizens, expatriates, and violators of the residency law. The measures also included the fee waiver for the renewal of expatriate residency permit and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority's support to the private sector with an amount of SR50 billion in order to enhance economic growth and the state's bearing of 60 percent of the salaries of Saudi employees in the private sector. These are in addition to Saudi Arabia's efforts through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) to implement education projects in the beneficiary countries, and the launch of the "We Are All Giving" initiative, which provides data chips and tablets free of charge to students. The study also shed light on the UN Secretary General's welcoming of the declaration of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen for a ceasefire and thanking the Kingdom and the Coalition by the UN Chief's special envoy for Yemen for understanding the sensitive phase through which Yemen is passing and its response to the critical nature of it. This is in addition to what the Kingdom, represented by KSRelief, has done to provide health assistance to Yemen that included medicines, preventive and medical supplies in order to combat coronavirus, as well as the provision of financial support by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to contribute to the rapid development to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
