Changes

Despite close cooperation on security issues, the United States remains concerned about [[human rights]] conditions in Saudi Arabia. Principal human rights problems include abuse of prisoners and incommunicado detention; prohibitions or severe restrictions on the freedoms of speech, press, peaceful assembly and association, and religion; denial of the right of citizens to change their government; systematic discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities; and suppression of workers' rights.  

Despite close cooperation on security issues, the United States remains concerned about [[human rights]] conditions in Saudi Arabia. Principal human rights problems include abuse of prisoners and incommunicado detention; prohibitions or severe restrictions on the freedoms of speech, press, peaceful assembly and association, and religion; denial of the right of citizens to change their government; systematic discrimination against women and ethnic and religious minorities; and suppression of workers' rights.  

They have strict laws that are punishable by beheading, such as sodomy convictions. If the criminal was convicted of lewd offenses, occasionally the Saudis will crucify the victim in addition to head separation, in public.  In 2008, 102 people were beheaded.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,523364,00.html?test=latestnews Saudis Behead, Crucify Convicted Child Molester, Murderer] AP, May 30, 2009</ref>

They have strict laws that are punishable by beheading, such as sodomy convictions. If the criminal was convicted of lewd offenses, occasionally the Saudis will crucify the victim in addition to head separation, in public.  In 2008, 102 people were beheaded.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,523364,00.html?test=latestnews Saudis Behead, Crucify Convicted Child Molester, Murderer] AP, May 30, 2009</ref>

===Religion===

===Religion===

==Notable Saudi Arabians==

==Notable Saudi Arabians==

*[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud]]: ranked 11th richest person in the world by USAToday in 2002.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/02/28/forbes.htm</ref>

*[[Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud]]: ranked 11th richest person in the world by USAToday in 2002.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002/02/28/forbes.htm</ref>

*[[Raif Badawi]]: Imprisoned blogger, winner of the Sakharov Prize in 2015 and nominated for Nobel Peace Prize.<ref name="Nobel">{{cite web|url=http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/02/150847/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-2015/|title=Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2015|website=Morocco World News|date=2 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="EUparl">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34667260|title=Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded Sakharov human rights prize|website=BBC News|date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

*[[Raif Badawi]]: Imprisoned blogger, winner of the Sakharov Prize in 2015 and nominated for Nobel Peace Prize.<ref name="Nobel">{{cite web|url=http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/02/150847/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-2015/|title=Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2015|website=Morocco World News|date=2 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="EUparl">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34667260|title=Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded Sakharov human rights prize|website=BBC News|date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

*[[Hamza Kashgari]]: Arrested for tweets critical of [[Muhammad]].<ref name="emirates247_arrested">{{cite news | title= Sacrilegious Saudi writer arrested in Malaysia| date=2012-02-09| work= [[Emirates 24/7]]| url= http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/sacrilegious-saudi-writer-arrested-in-malaysia-2012-02-09-1.442198| accessdate=2017-05-07 | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65MOcflmZ| archivedate=2012-02-10 }}</ref>

*[[Hamza Kashgari]]: Arrested for tweets critical of [[Muhammad]].<ref name="emirates247_arrested">{{cite news | title= Sacrilegious Saudi writer arrested in Malaysia| date=2012-02-09| work= [[Emirates 24/7]]| url= http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/sacrilegious-saudi-writer-arrested-in-malaysia-2012-02-09-1.442198| accessdate=2017-05-07 | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/65MOcflmZ| archivedate=2012-02-10 }}</ref>