GENEVA: Saudi Arabia is pursuing well-established reform policies that conform to its basic principles and Islamic pillars, particularly with regard to women’s rights and enhancing their role in public life, said Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Wasel, Saudi ambassador to the UN in Geneva. Al-Wasel added that the Kingdom boasts a strong, independent judiciary system that handles all cases in accordance with the rulings of Islamic Shariah and the country’s legal regulations. Before the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Al-Wasel said that the Kingdom’s delegation had listened with disapproval to the statement made by Australia as it contained misinformation and fallacies about Saudi Arabia. The delegation categorically rejected interference of any state in the Kingdom’s internal policies, and the envoy emphasized the sovereignty and independence of its judicial institutions. Al-Wasel expressed concern over horrific violations of the rights of minorities, immigrants and Muslims as well as racist and extremist policies, adding that “these policies and practices are unfortunately popular and accepted by some Western parliaments and are even sponsored by governments in some countries that lecture on human rights in this room.” He added that the exacerbation of extremism against Muslims, racism and hatred against foreigners and minorities has been a natural consequence of the inaction and sympathy of some governments, such as Australia and other Western countries, with this racist approach. “This council should highlight Australia’s internal policy on immigration, refugees and deportation, which is one of the most egregious racist policies in the 21st century,” Al-Wasel said, adding that the government of Australia has failed to set a comprehensive national plan to address these issues and other Western countries have been reluctant to urge Australia to abandon this racist approach. “It is time to review the Human Rights Council’s Resolution No. 16/18, combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons based on religion or belief,” he said, calling upon the states to exert more effort to take a firm stance on this issue in order to prevent practices of hatred and extremism.