The Government of The Gambia has strongly condemned statements made by the Swedish Foreign Minister against Saudi Arabia regarding the Gulf state`s human rights record in respect of women`s rights and free speech.
A press release from the Office of the President said the attack against Saudi Arabia constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the United Nations Declaration.
The full text reads:
“The Government of The Gambia hereby expresses its strong condemnation of statements made by the Foreign Minister of Sweden on 9 February 2015 attacking the so-called `human rights` record of the friendly and venerable Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in respect of women`s rights and free speech.
The statement delivered in the Swedish Parliament constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the United Nations Declaration No. 36/103 endorsed on 9th December 1981, which forbids states from interfering directly or indirectly, for any reason whatsoever, in the internal and external affairs of other member states of the United Nations.
The statement by a Western Foreign Minister was condescending and out-rightly contemptuous of the judicial system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is based on the principles of Islamic Law (Shari`ah) in line with divine revelations.
Therefore, the false accusations are an attack on Islamic Jurisprudence and are designed to bring contempt on our Islamic Faith. Islam recognizes and puts such a high premium on the welfare of women that a whole chapter of the Glorious Qur`an is dedicated to women as opposed to the West, where they are treated as toys.
As a devoted Muslim country and strong ally of the government and people of Saudi Arabia; bound by the same religion, Islam, the Government of The Gambia expresses unflinching solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia in rejecting and denouncing the malicious statements by this Western country.
We deplore the double standards of certain Western countries, who continue to parade themselves as champions of `human rights` while they have been routinely and severely persecuting non-whites using hate groups created purposely to commit hate crimes, racism and unprecedented violence, especially against minorities in these western countries under the pretext of freedom of association and expression.
The Gambia will not relent in its firm stance to speak out against such bigotry, racism and hypocrisy and will continue to be a devout and pious Muslim nation committed to the defence of Islam and Islamic values.”
The release concluded.
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