Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights (CDLR)
The Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights (CDLR) is the first independent human rights organization established in Saudi Arabia. The Committee emerged from increasing concerns amongst Saudis about a decline in Islamic ethical standards following the Gulf War of 1990-1991.
Etymology
- Arabic: لجنة الدفاع عن الحقوق الشرعية (Lajnat ad-Difāʿ ʿan al-Ḥuqūq ash-Sharʿiyya)
- Turkish: Meşru Hakların Savunulması Komitesi
Founding and Objectives
Established in 1993 by Muhammad al-Masari, the CDLR sets forth a range of objectives stemming partially from the diverse backgrounds of its membership. These objectives include:
- The release of political prisoners
- Ensuring the royal family’s accountability to the people
- Reform in human rights practices
- Purification of Islam by removing tribal customs
- Strict application of Islamic law (Sharia)
- Elimination of oppression and injustice in society
History and Controversy
Due to its bold stance on political and social reforms, CDLR promptly faced severe repercussions from Saudi authorities, including arrests of its members, job removals, and imprisonments. Officially banned in Saudi Arabia for alleged ties to terrorist and extremist groups, the organization relocated its base to London in 1994.
A significant schism occurred within the CDLR, leading to the formation of the Movement for the Islamic Revolution in Arabia (MIRA). This split indicated fundamental internal disagreements on the approach towards achieving the group’s goals.
Further Reading
For those interested in an in-depth understanding of the CDLR, its historical context, and its impact on the discourse of human rights and reforms in Saudi Arabia, the following books are recommended:
- The Rise and Fall of the Saudi Reform Movement by Toby Matthiesen
- Inside the Kingdom: Kings, Clerics, Modernists, Terrorists, and the Struggle for Saudi Arabia by Robert Lacey
- Saudi Arabia in Transition: Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change by Bernard Haykel, Thomas Hegghammer, Stéphane Lacroix
Takeaways and Conclusion
The CDLR represents a pivotal chapter in the human rights narrative within Saudi Arabia. Despite facing immense governmental repression, the group’s endeavors reflect an ongoing struggle for reform and the pursuit of justice according to Islamic legal and ethical values. The CDLR’s history underscores the complexities involved when advocating for significant societal changes within an authoritarian context.
The saga of the CDLR serves as a critical lens through which one can examine the intricate interplay between politics, religion, and human rights in Saudi Arabia and offers important lessons for similar movements worldwide seeking to balance tradition and modernity.
