Middle East King Sacks Aide Over A Slap
The Middle East is known for having one of the heaviest-handed leaderships in the world and stringent rules, which severely limit press freedom. And this week, a video posted online showing one of King Salman of Saudi Arabia’s aides slapping a photographer, while the royal was welcoming King Mohammed of Morocco, led to his sacking. According to the BBC, the Middle East king’s decision was welcomed by many Saudis.
However, just after the video was posted, the Internet was abuzz with accusations that the head of protocol in the Middle East nation, Mr. Mohammed al-Tobayshi, who had assaulted the photographer, was abusing his position.
The Middle East country has made headlines in recent years due to the inhumane nature of the punishments it hands to offenders. According to Amnesty International, the Middle East nation’s government has, on numerous occasions, used repressive laws to gag the media, following calls for political reform amongst its citizens.
Activists and protesters in the Middle East nation have been reportedly held without reason, with many reporting being tortured and assaulted. As of 2011, hundreds of people have been jailed in the Middle East country due to protests and almost 20 killed.
In 2012, the arrest and jailing of Raif Badawi, a blogger, sparked international outrage. He was accused of criticizing the Middle East nation’s religious authority. In January, 2015, he was subjected to a public flogging. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, shared this through the Washington Post.
“Then this January, in a show of cruelty, the authorities lashed Raif 50 times. He still faces 950 more lashes and seven more years in prison……..If the court finds my husband guilty, I fear we will never see him again. How will my children grow up without their father?”
The Middle East country is said to strictly follow Islamic Sharia law. According to the Washington Post, the main problem with the Middle East nation’s system is the lack of proper institutional infrastructure to seek justice. For example, citizens lack the right to change the government in the Middle East country.
Women are the most vulnerable in the Middle East nation and have numerous laws prohibiting where they should go, their dress code, and more. According to Arab News, women in the Middle East country are specifically prohibited from wearing clothes that “show” their beauty.
Moreover, the Week highlights that ladies are barred from voting in the Middle East nation. Also among the laws is that the women in the Middle East country are not to try on clothes when shopping.
As such, it was a welcome gesture for those who wished to see justice to watch the King of the Middle East nation express his concern by relieving the aide of his duties.
[Photo by Thaer Ghanaim/PPO via Getty Images]
