JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s move to end flogging as a form of punishment and abolish death penalty for minors has been welcomed by the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Commission has lauded Saudi Arabia’s decision to introduce reforms in the country’s penal code by substituting floggings with prison sentences, fines or both and abolishing capital punishment for those convicted of crimes committed when they were minors. “The modifications announced by the Kingdom are aimed at improving domestic penal law and practice, upholding the inherent human dignity, and ensuring due process of law within the principles of proportionality. These changes will help Saudi Arabia strengthen its domestic legislation in line with international human rights obligations while maintaining the Islamic ethos and principles of justice,” the OIC rights body said in a statement. “These are well-thought-out measures, which are part of the ongoing broader sociocultural and judicial reforms introduced in Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, that are widely recognized and appreciated at the national, regional and global levels,” the Commission added. — SG