Geneva, March 16, March 16, SPA -- Nizar Obaid Madani, the Saudi Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs has affirmed that respect for human rights constituted a fundamental component of the policy of Saudi Arabia. In an address at the 61st session of the International Commission on human rights, an affiliate of the United Nations, here Tuesday, he said "The (Kingdom's) National Human Rights Commission continued to play the role of helping to protect and to develop human rights concepts in a fully independent and transparent manner, and its activities to monitor conditions in prisons and reform institutions had recently been expanded to ensure that the rights of prisoners and accused persons were respected. Other initiatives included the promulgation of the "Basic Law", the institution of a national dialogue among all segments of society, and the broadening of membership in the Consultative Council, whose competence had been extended to include the review and development of laws and regulations." A process of municipal elections had also begun, he added.--More1211 Local Time 0911 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/247175