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Saudi Arabia mulls 'non-discriminatory' blood money payout for non-Muslims, women

Saudi Arabia mulls 'non-discriminatory' blood money payout for non-Muslims, women
Saudi Arabia could have a 'non-discriminatory' blood money payment system if the draft law changes are approved.
2 min read
23 May, 2022
Saudi Arabia's shura council is looking at several legal reforms [Getty]

Members of Saudi Arabia's have recommendedÌýthe same Ìýfor women and non-Muslims, slamming existing laws as "discriminatory".

Under the current lawÌýin Saudi Arabia, the families of Muslim men get the highest blood payments, double the amount given to thoseÌýofÌýwomen victims.

Three members of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council - Latifa Al-Shaalan, Faisal Al-Fadel, and Atta Al-Subaiti - are challenging this, saying the double payments for Muslim men are not stipulated in the Quran and want a draft law, currently being studied by the body, to reflect this.

"The proposed amendment in the draft law will be as follows: 'It is prohibited to show discrimination in the amount of compensation in a felony against a person on the basis of gender, religion, or any other forms of discrimination," a source told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

Blood money is a payment made by offenders to the families of their victim with the amount paid out depending on the crime committed and other issues.

The practice is common in Saudi Arabia for fatal road collisions and accidental deaths.

The Shura Council membersÌýsaid the changesÌýto the will help empower women, promote human rights, and bring Saudi Arabia in line with international law and consensus.

They say rulings by leading Islamic scholars confirm that families of women and non-Muslims should be given the same compensation, regardless of gender, nationality,Ìýor creed.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has looked at reformingÌýfour pieces of legislation, including theÌýCivil Transactions Law which covers the blood money payments.

MbS has sought radical changes since becoming de-facto ruler, introducing laws allowing Saudi women to drive, relaxing rules on gender segregation, and curtailing the powers of the religious police.

He is also looking at an overhaul of the kindom'sÌýsharia-based legal system and codify law, which it is argued will bring Saudi Arabia in-line with international norms.

At the same time, the de-facto ruler has been criticised for a crackdown on .

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