RIYADH, Dec 4: A delegation of the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) is here on the first extensive fact-finding mission in Saudi Arabia on a three-week visit. The visit is being seen here as a sign of opening up of the desert Kingdom, another step in the ongoing reforms programme undertaken by King Abdullah ever since he ascended the throne.

Members of the rights group's delegation told a gathering of prominent Saudis and foreign diplomats late on Sunday that during the three weeks they would interview government officials, organisations and individuals.

The main issues they would focus on include the criminal justice system, political rights, the status of women and foreign worker rights.

The issue of capital punishment might also come up during discussions.

“We hope we can encourage a process of change," HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth said.

“The government seems, at least at the rhetorical level, interested in reform," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Saudi Arabia had allowed the formation of National Human Rights Association under government sponsorship, couple of years back.

However, efforts to establish independent groups had best been unsuccessful as yet.Earlier this year, the New York-based group branded a number of countries including Saudi Arabia as ‘spoilers’ on the new United Nations Human Rights Council based in Geneva.

HRW made a first exploratory visit to Saudi Arabia in 2003. No other major rights groups had been able to conduct field-work in the vast desert country, an absolute monarchy with a religious police that imposes strict gender segregation.

The United States and rights groups had often criticised

Saudi Arabia over many issues, including freedom of expression, religious freedoms and the imposition of the death penalty through public beheading.

Saudi Arabia says its system of Islamic laws ensure full rights for Muslims and non-Muslims.