London - By consistently failing to investigate allegations of abuses against women, Saudi Arabia condones certain types of violence against its female citizens, according to a report published by Amnesty International today. Although a rapist can face execution, he can only be convicted on the basis of a confession or the evidence of four witnesses, so many rapes go unreported.
"Discrimination against women touches virtually all aspects of their lives," the report says. It notes, however, that issues of women's rights - once a taboo subject in the kingdom - are gradually being aired.