Saudi women get right to vote

Move welcomed by activists

Al Jazeera: King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has announced in an annual address to the Shura Council that women will be able to vote in the next local elections. While it will take four more years before women cast their first votes, activists applauded Saudi Arabia's recognition of women's political rights. Women in the kingdom are not allowed to drive and are barred from travelling, working or having medical operations without the permission of a male relative.

from Aljazeera
26-Sep-2011
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VATANAM

I guess SA feels very shaky to use this preventive poison pill.

by VATANAM on Mon Sep 26, 2011 08:21 PM PDT

They are just buying time with this movement that is sweeping the region. They figured when a dicatorship like Syria is in danger, they might be next.

This is only to calm the situation down before it even starts. I'd bet that US/UK pushed them hard for this telling them that they couldn't afford losing the right to all the oil in this arabian winter.

It all started with the Greens. Funny, the Greens lost but others blossomed (sort of). Greens lost, didn't they?


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Anonymous Observer

TS9 has the best comment on the issue!

by Anonymous Observer on Mon Sep 26, 2011 07:31 PM PDT

Perfectly put. Thank you.


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Tiger Lily

.

by Tiger Lily on Tue Sep 27, 2011 05:08 AM PDT

.


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Rea

Kan't b'liv it

by Rea on Mon Sep 26, 2011 01:03 PM PDT

So much ill will here.

Yet those women have fought for years to get this little bit of something.


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Tiger Lily

.

by Tiger Lily on Tue Sep 27, 2011 05:09 AM PDT

.


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default

Let's call it Petro-Patrirachy for now,

by Hooshang Tarreh-Gol on Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:25 AM PDT

It's probably the most unique instance of a mal-developed, corrupt rentier state as there is.

From Gender-Aparthied, to tribal moanrchy, to its treatment of immigrants and workers all and all marks of a depraved state of affairs. Read the article by Perry Anderson, see what you think?

 


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Cost-of-Progress

targol jaan

by Cost-of-Progress on Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:18 AM PDT

it is becasue the saudi regime is not in bed with the murderous mullahs.

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IRAN FIRST

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Cost-of-Progress

Funny, but expected that

by Cost-of-Progress on Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:17 AM PDT

some folks here believe that it is the fall of the saudi system that will fix the ills of Middle East. These are the same antellectulals who see nothing wrong with the way the islamist murderous regime has conducted itself in the last 32 years.

Silly me, the entire world - as well as the Iranian people - believe that it is the fall of the islamist thugs in iran that will fix the region..... not to mention Iran!

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IRAN FIRST

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MM

this is a limited right + you have 2 be able 2 drive to polls!!!

by MM on Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:08 AM PDT

.


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default

Why is Saudi Arabia more cancerous than any other cancer in ME?

by Hooshang Tarreh-Gol on Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:02 AM PDT

IR has been long diagnosed with that disease, and IR and SA are not the only ones.

As far as SA being overthrown, don't hold your breath. It's the richest best organized military and state in that area, with not much of an opposition.For an informed account of what's going on in the Arab world see below:

درباره‌ی زنجیره‌ی شورش‌ها در جهان عرب

http://www.iranian.com/main/news/2011/05/29-7


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Abarmard

Cancer of Middle East

by Abarmard on Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:48 AM PDT

Saudi is a country that uses money earned for destabilizing the region. Unlike many, I believe with the fall of Saudi regime alone, most of the problems of Middle East will resolve.


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Arj

Voting for what?!

by Arj on Mon Sep 26, 2011 09:31 AM PDT

Saudi Arabia doesn't have an elected office (even nominally) or a parliament! What is this voting right good for anyway?! PTA elections perhaps!!!


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comments

Good for them...

by comments on Mon Sep 26, 2011 07:48 AM PDT

It seems that the Iranian government influences all neighbor countries for their freedom.  A positive influence!  Good for them...


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MeyBokhor_Manbarbesuzan

UK and US praise their favorit pet in the region

by MeyBokhor_Manbarbesuzan on Mon Sep 26, 2011 05:21 AM PDT

And BBC has the audacity of calling the king "reform" friendly.

LOL. If he could reform anything, he should start with himself. Deform is a better word when I think of King Abu.

 


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Tabarzin

From your keyboard

by Tabarzin on Mon Sep 26, 2011 05:12 AM PDT

To God's ears...


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Rea

It's rather symbolic

by Rea on Mon Sep 26, 2011 03:55 AM PDT

But even a journey of a 1000 miles begins with one small step.

Courage aux Saoudiennes !


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Tabarzin

Sa'udi Arabia

by Tabarzin on Mon Sep 26, 2011 03:07 AM PDT

Needs a scorching summer not just a spring!


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Truthseeker9

Call me cynical

by Truthseeker9 on Mon Sep 26, 2011 02:45 AM PDT

Activists have been campaigning for 20 years on driving, guardianship and voting issues. Perhaps King Abdullah fears that the Arab Spring could reach kingdom rather than thinking women are capable of rational thinking and decision making.


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