The announcement by critics of the Saudi Arabian government came at a time when King Salman of Saudi Arabia gave his speech at the United Nations. Critics of the Saudi Arabian government in exile have announced the formation of an opposition party to make political reforms in the country. King Salman in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly took a strong stand towards Iran. He said that Saudi Arabia will not back down from its step. A few hours after his speech, a group of exiled Saudi leaders announced a new opposition party. Watch the video by clicking below
Most of the leaders living outside the country live in Britain, America, Canada and other countries. They are being led by human rights activist Yahya Asiri, who lives in London. Asiri states that the new party’s objective is “to establish a democratic government in Saudi Arabia instead of monarchy.”
The name of this new party is the National Assembly Party and it said in its statement, “The government resorts to repression and violence and performs political ‘gifs’.” “The new party was formed at a time when it is important to save the country,” says Asiri, a former Saudi Arabian Air Force officer. Britain-based party spokesperson and educationist Madavi al-Rashid said the party’s founders had no personal enmity with the Saudi ruling family. But he said that the timing of the formation of the party matters. According to him, “The atmosphere of repression is increasing rather than diminishing.”
There has been no immediate response from Saudi Arabia on the formation of the opposition party and its statements. However, Saudi Arabia has previously denied that its authorities have resorted to violence to silence critics. Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the G20 summit in November next year, but is facing an economic slowdown due to a steep decline in crude oil revenues. According to political observers, the announcement of an opposing party in this situation is a new and difficult challenge for it.
King Salman disbanded all the traditions of the past and appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as his successor in 2017, since then the world has grown considerably. The image of Mohammed bin Salman and the country has deteriorated badly since journalist Jamal Khashogi died in 2018. Saudi officials have been denying the Prince’s hand in Khashogi’s murder. Recently, the court of Saudi had sentenced Khashogi’s eight two men to 20 years in prison.
According to the opposition, Mohammed bin Salman illegally held many human rights activists, religious scholars and intellectuals in the country who did not agree with him. He says that Prince Salman bypasses those who pose a threat to the monarchy.
