Escaping poverty by suicide is prevalent in Saudi Arabia

A man hanging from a balcony in Saudi Arabia. Video posted on youtube by tradalasmar.

A video has emerged on the Internet that points the finger at a taboo subject in Saudi Arabia: citizens of this rich oil nation killing themselves to escape their miserable existence.

The Saudi authorities prefer to blame psychological problems or a lack of piety for the suicides. But several newspapers dare to expose the real reasons for this drastic action. One hundred such articles have been gathered on the blog of our Observer.

Warning: these images may be considered disturbing.

'In the fight against poverty, Saudi Arabia lacks ideas, not money'

Trad Al Asmari is a Saudi blogger and human rights activist. He has recorded a short film on poverty in Saudi Arabia and last year received the "public RSF prize" in the “Best of Blogs” competition.

In our society, we often say that had the person who committed suicide been a true believer, s/he would never have done that. I do not subscribe to this explanation. I believe we need to speak urgently about this problem on which the politicians remain silent. In Saudi Arabia, there are no reliable statistics on the number of unemployed or people who live below the poverty line.

In Saudi Arabia, it is the Social Affairs Ministry which deals with poverty. Unfortunately, the help that they are giving is no greater than 700 or 800 riyals per person [about 150 euros] and this is only given to families which have absolutely no other means. Cases of suicide are more common amongst low-paid civil servants who earn 1,000-1,200 riyals [180-200 euros]. That is the salary of a police officer, for example, of whom there are 100,000. This is ridiculous in a country in which the cost of a medical appointment is 500 riyals! Furthermore, Saudi households consist of an average of 7-8 people surviving on only one salary. On top of that, factor in rent, as official statistics reveal that 65% of Saudis are not home owners. The concept of a minimum wage does not exist in my country because of a substantial amount of foreign workers who live here - nearly 9 million.

'It would have been very difficult for me a few years ago to talk freely about the subject on my blog'

The Saudi Minister of Social Affairs once declared that in the fight against poverty what Saudi Arabia lacked was ideas, not money. I think it is true. I believe that the problem of poverty is as much a social problem as it is an economic one. We have to find a model suitable for Saudi society, regardless of the solutions used in other countries. Opening up the possibility for women to work would be one of the solutions; that way, the responsibility for a family would not just fall on the father.

I set up a focus group called “National Intellectual Solidarity Initiative” to discuss ideas to combat poverty. There is a new wind blowing in Saudi Arabia which encourages intellectuals to work towards social reform. It would have been very difficult for me a few years ago to talk freely about the subject on my blog."

Comments

This really is a shocking

Submitted by tax attorney (not verified) on Sun, 01/05/2011 - 20:40.

This really is a shocking news, a country like Saudi Arabia how could it be possible. I never heard this news on any news channel.

The Poverty is a vicious

Submitted by Abhishek Goyal (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:46.

The Poverty is a vicious problem not only in saudi arabia but in india also, I am an indian, But see we are working everywhere in the world even in saudi arabia to vanish poverty and believe me the poverty has eradicated in india by people itself who are working in middle east expriencing all odds of life so that they can earn money, i am a indian youth feel very sad that the saudi government provide jobs to the people of india pakistan, srilanka and bangladesh and so on but fails to provide jobs or employment to their youth or middle age people as a matter of fact the suicide is the result

I pray to god that luxury living and closed mind and ears princes and princesses , wake up you 'll shame to see what your father king and queen of royal family includes, other ministers who are in-charge of nation are in disgrace and undaunted about the matters of the citizens.

With Love

a True Indian

India and SAudi Arabia is

Submitted by Dit (not verified) on Sun, 11/09/2011 - 17:32.

India and SAudi Arabia is much better than the PHILIPPINES why because there is no more job opportunities that you want to commit suicide! Honestly speaking the poverty level in my place is very worst compare to India or any country in the middle east! Even if you have a college degree you cannot find job here. You are quite lucky if you can earn a 2-3 Dollars a day!