October 5, 2002	Saturday	Rajab 27, 1423

GENEVA, Oct 4: Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow a visit by a United Nations human rights investigator next month, the first ever to a conservative Islamic kingdom that has drawn fire for harsh punishments and other alleged abuses.

The UN said on Friday that Saudi authorities agreed to a request for a visit by Param Cumaraswamy, the UN special rapporteur on independence of the judiciary.

“This is the first time that the government of Saudi Arabia has invited a special rapporteur of the commission for an official visit,” the UN said in a brief statement.

Cumaraswamy will be in the kingdom from Oct 20-27 and will report next year to the UN Commission on Human Rights of which Saudi Arabia is a member.

The kingdom’s strict Islamic laws require amputation of the right hand for theft, execution of murderers, rapists and drug smugglers, stoning for adultery and flogging for crimes including alcohol consumption.—AFP