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[RustyNails]

Remember this infamous pic circulating the internet?

Saudi Press Agency has sent out a statement denying claims in media that they housed zero refugees from Syria. In fact, they claim they received 2.5 million Syrians since the start of the conflict, provided millions of dollars in aid, and granted resident rights to them, including free education.
Here's the full statement in English:

1. The Kingdom has received around 2.5 million Syrians since the beginning of the conflict. In order to ensure their dignity and safety, the Kingdom adopted a policy that does not treat them as refugees or place them in refugee camps. They have been given the freedom to move about the country and those who wish to remain in Saudi Arabia (some hundreds of thousands) have been given legal residency status. Their residency comes with the rights to receive free medical care, to join the labor market and to attend schools and universities. This was contained in a royal decree in 2012 that instructed public schools to accept Syrian students. According to government statistics, the public school system has accepted more than 100,000 Syrian students.

2. The Kingdom’s efforts were not limited to accepting our Syrian brothers and sisters after their crisis; it also extended its efforts to support and care for millions of Syrian refugees in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and others. Efforts included providing them with humanitarian assistance, in coordination with the host governments and with international human aid organizations. Aid was provided, in cash and kind.

3. The aid provided by Saudi Arabia to the Syrian people totals around $700 million, according to the statistics of the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, which took place in Kuwait on March 31, 2015. Government aid and aid provided by the National Campaign, are included in that number.

4. Humanitarian aid provided to Syrians by the Kingdom consisted of food, medical, academic, residential supplies and included the establishment of Saudi specialized clinics in refugee camps, especially at Zaatari Camp in Jordan. The Kingdom was able to provide medical care in the form of immunization, preventive treatment and medical procedures. In addition, Saudi Arabia sponsored a large number of Syrian families living in Lebanon and Syria (specifically, through paying for their rent and living costs).

READ ALSO: Diary of a Syrian retiree in Saudi Arabia

The ministry official concluded his statements to SPA by saying that: It is apparent from the previous facts, that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain a leader among other countries supporting Syrian people and it is impossible to outbid its efforts in this matter, or to question its position in any way or form, the statement concluded.

Source
Saudi Arabia denies not giving Syrians sanctuary

Saudi Arabia has defended its efforts to aid Syrians fleeing the conflict in their country, following criticism that Gulf countries have not been taking in enough refugees since the crisis broke out there more than four years ago.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Friday cited an official source in the foreign ministry as saying the kingdom wanted to make clear its role in helping refugee in light of charges it was doing nothing.

The official said it was "important to clarify these efforts with facts and numbers in response to media reports, which included false and misleading accusations about the kingdom".

None of the six states that form the Gulf Cooperation Council, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, has signed the UN convention on refugees, which has governed international law on asylum since World War Two.

But Gulf states say they have taken in hundreds of thousands of Syrians since the civil war there began in 2011, just not as refugees.

The source said Saudi Arabia had received nearly 2.5 million Syrians since the conflict erupted.

"[Saudi Arabia] was keen to not deal with them as refugees, or to put them in refugee camps, to preserve their dignity and safety, and gave them complete freedom of movement."

"[Saudi Arabia] gave whoever chose to stay in the kingdom, which are in the hundreds of thousands, proper residency ... with all the rights that are included like free health care and engaging in the workforce and education."

The kingdom has also provided about $700m in humanitarian aid to Syrians and had set up clinics in various refugee camps, the statement by the SPA said.

The official source said more than 100,000 Syrian students were receiving free education in the kingdom.

The country has also provided humanitarian aid to countries hosting Syrian refugees and through international relief organisations.

Saudi Press Agency
Google Translate:

Foreign Ministry official source said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were not willing to talk about their efforts in support of the Syrian brothers in their plight excruciating, because it is since the beginning of the crisis has dealt with the subject of religious and purely humanitarian premises, and not for the purpose brag or media review, but he saw the importance of clarifying These efforts facts and figures in response to media reports, and its contents from false and misleading accusations about the Kingdom.

The official source said that the actions taken by the kingdom, which was the following:
- Received the kingdom since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria, nearly two million and a half million Syrian citizen, made a point of not dealing with them as refugees, or put them in refugee camps, in order to preserve the dignity and integrity, and gave them complete freedom of movement, and awarded for those who wanted to stay were in the kingdom who report hundreds thousands, accommodation systemic like the rest of residents, with all the consequent rights to free health care and to engage in the labor market and education, as was clearly demonstrated at the royal order issued in 2012, which included the admission of Syrian students visiting the kingdom in general education schools, which It embraced more than 100 thousand Syrian student to free school, according to government statistics Nirvana campaign.

- Saudi efforts to receive and host the Syrian brothers after the humanitarian tragedy in their country is not limited, but extended its efforts to include the support and care of millions of Syrians refugees to neighboring countries to their homeland in Jordan, Lebanon and other countries. And it included efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in coordination with the governments of their host countries, as well as with international humanitarian relief organizations, whether through physical or in-kind support.

There is lot to criticize KSA about such as their degrading Kafala employment system or the women rights issues, but I think we all should be better informed on this particular subject.

 

[jelly]

How did nobody notice or report on it.

 

[Walpurgis]

How did nobody notice or report on it.

I saw a gaffer a week or two ago mention it but everyone in the thread ignored it.

 

[ShaneDude]

Don't Saudi nationalists fund ISIS,making them directly or indirectly responsible for the refugee crisis to begin with? Or is my sense of geopolitics off base.

 

[WedgeX]

So they've taken in roughly eight percent of Syria's total population?
I guess since about fifty percent of the population has been displaced.

 

[RustyNails]

How did nobody notice or report on it.

Saudi Arabia remained mum on the subject

Foreign Ministry official source said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were not willing to talk about their efforts in support of the Syrian brothers in their plight excruciating, because it is since the beginning of the crisis has dealt with the subject of religious and purely humanitarian premises, and not for the purpose brag or media review

 

[RustyNails]

Don't Saudi nationalists fund ISIS,making them directly or indirectly responsible for the refugee crisis to begin with? Or is my sense of geopolitics off base.

Yes they do. But the government does not.

 

[Walpurgis]

This thread is interesting looking back. I wonder how Israel is able to escape criticism for actually taking zero refugees.

 

[Des0lar]

iwannaseethereciepts.gif

 

[Africanus]

I would like to see more evidence regarding this matter, but it wouldn't be hard for me to believe that they have at least taken in thousands of Syrian refugees as opposed to 0.

 

[ClosingADoor]

That's nice to see. Although I think the 2.5 million might be a bit higher then reality, it is good to know they are helping out as well then.

 

[ShaneDude]

Yes they do. But the government does not.

Then why is the Kingdom not going after these individuals. Is it illogical to presume then, that these individuals have the tacit approval of the government?

 

[Rocket Scientist]

Hopefully this will lead to some serious fact checking on the issue to determine what is true and what isn't. Always felt like claims of ''0'' refugees taken in were being accepted too eagerly, even by myself.

 

[TCRS]

I'm having a hard time believing that.

 

[Valhelm]

I'm skeptical, to say the least.

 

[Stumpokapow]

Profoundly unmoved by one of the worst regimes on earth complaining that they're unfairly getting a bum rap on this.

This thread is interesting looking back. I wonder how Israel is able to escape criticism for actually taking zero refugees.

Well, not saying Israel shouldn't take refugees, because they should, but Israel is geographically a little more constrained than some of the other countries being talked about.

 

[reckless]

So they have taken in more refugees then any other country? Even turkey?

And why should we believe that?

 

[John Dunbar]

if some hundreds of thousands of 2.5 million wished to stay, where will the rest go? or will they just stay there until they can go back to syria?

 

[Phat Michael]

Profoundly unmoved by one of the worst regimes on earth complaining that they're unfairly getting a bum rap on this.

So you are saying the truth doesn't matter whatsoever because you don't like them?

 

[curlyfriski]

Saudi Press Agency, huh.

 

[RustyNails]

Then why is the Kingdom not going after these individuals. Is it illogical to presume then, that these individuals have the tacit approval of the government?

They did

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia announced Saturday it has broken up planned Islamic State attacks in the kingdom and arrested more than 400 suspects in an anti-terrorism sweep, a day after a powerful blast in neighboring Iraq killed more than 100 people in one of the country's deadliest single attacks since U.S. troops pulled out in 2011.

The Saudi crackdown underscores the OPEC powerhouse's growing concern about the threat posed by the Islamic State group, which in addition to its operations in Iraq and Syria has claimed responsibility for recent suicide bombings aimed at Shiites in the kingdom's oil-rich east and in next-door Kuwait.

The Saudi Interior Ministry accused those arrested over the "past few weeks" of involvement in several attacks, including a suicide bombing in May that killed 22 people in the eastern village of al-Qudeeh. It was the deadliest militant assault in the kingdom in more than a decade.

It also blamed them for the November shooting and killing of eight worshippers in the eastern Saudi village of al-Ahsa, and for behind another attack in late May, when a suicide bomber disguised as a woman blew himself up in the parking lot of a Shiite mosque during Friday prayers, killing four.

And have continued to do so. ISIS, Al Qaida and even the harmless Muslim Brotherhood are wanted, killed, tortured and arrested by the police. The kingdom does not necessarily go after these groups because they're "terrorist" or because they are killing innocent people in Iraq, but because these groups directly threaten the foundation of the saudi government.

 

[Condom]

I did hear about them having some weird policies with refugees, don't think they are getting an actual citizenship. Maybe someone can correct me on that?

This thread is interesting looking back. I wonder how Israel is able to escape criticism for actually taking zero refugees.

Who wants to live in Israel as an Arab?

 

[justjohn]

Bullshit. If they've taken in that amount surely it would've made the news by now.

 

[Jose92]

With all due respect to the Saudi government i think these numbers are total B.S. Why are they giving out such numbers now after all the pressure coming from the media in the past couple of weeks.

The Saudi government treats Syrians worse than normal iqama holders firstly all syrians cant take any kind of loan from any bank, secondly they made it extermely hard for Syrian residents in Saudi Arabia to bring any kind of family member outside of immediate family members (they consider immediate family members as wife, mother, father and children under 18). So if your sister or brother is living under siege you cant do cant bring them to saudi.Thirdly Saudi Arabia have not signed the Geneva Refugee Treaty so they cant offer any kind of legitimate status for the Syrians if there passports expire And they don't have any type of a resettlement program to accommodate any number of refugees.

The Saudi Government have talked alot about helping the syrian people across the past 5 years but sadly little action to help them have been Done (but can not deny that some Saudi individuals have donated a lot of money to the syrian refugees). That is why many syrians don't go to Saudi Arabia as refugees

 

[Stumpokapow]

So you are saying the truth doesn't matter whatsoever because you don't like them?

I'm saying the subject matter of this thread--adjudication whether or not Saudi Arabia is unfairly being criticized on this issue (note: this is not fundamentally a thread about refugees)--pales in importance to the ongoing abuses passively allowed and actively committed by the Saudi Regime.

You know the best way to correct misunderstandings? Transparency. Pity the Saudi Government are one of the least transparent in the world. ¯_(&#12484_/¯ Reap the wind, sow the whirlwind.

 

[RustyNails]

I did hear about them having some weird policies with refugees, don't think they are getting an actual citizenship. Maybe someone can correct me on that?

No one can get Saudi citizenship unless they have Saudi parents (not sure if both parents).

People of other nationalities are legal on the basis of Iqama, or the residence permit. Normally iqamat does not allow you to enroll in public schools and colleges, but according to the statement the royal decree ordered the public institutions to accept Syrian children.

 

[dramatis]

Well, not saying Israel shouldn't take refugees, because they should, but Israel is geographically a little more constrained than some of the other countries being talked about.

From the look of that map (which may or may not be accurate), Lebanon is Israel's smaller neighbor and they took in 1.2 million.

I don't think Israel has excuses really.

 

[zashga]

Not to be overly cynical, but can any of these numbers actually be verified? Good on Saudi Arabia if they're actually resettling hundreds of thousands of Syrians and not just putting them in camps.

 

[Phat Michael]

I'm saying the subject matter of this thread--adjudication whether or not Saudi Arabia is unfairly being criticized on this issue (note: this is not fundamentally a thread about refugees)--pales in importance to the ongoing abuses passively allowed and actively committed by the Saudi Regime.

You know the best way to correct misunderstandings? Transparency. Pity the Saudi Government are one of the least transparent in the world. ¯_(&#12484_/¯ Reap the wind, sow the whirlwind.

I believe they are trying to be transparent now by correcting the western media's misinformation about the Syrian refugees.

 

[RK9039]

From the look of that map (which may or may not be accurate), Lebanon is Israel's smaller neighbor and they took in 1.2 million.

I don't think Israel has excuses really.

Yup, plus they have enough occupied territory to accommodate for refugees.

 

[Linkyn]

Edit: Nvm.

 

[Maninthemirror]

I need to see the reciepts

 

[sneakydomo]

From the look of that map (which may or may not be accurate), Lebanon is Israel's smaller neighbor and they took in 1.2 million.

I don't think Israel has excuses really.

Anyone who doesn't understand why Israel does not take Syrian non Jewish refugees doesn't understand modern middle east history and should probably do themselves a favor and read up on it.

 

[grumble]

I'm saying the subject matter of this thread--adjudication whether or not Saudi Arabia is unfairly being criticized on this issue (note: this is not fundamentally a thread about refugees)--pales in importance to the ongoing abuses passively allowed and actively committed by the Saudi Regime.

You know the best way to correct misunderstandings? Transparency. Pity the Saudi Government are one of the least transparent in the world. ¯_(&#12484_/¯ Reap the wind, sow the whirlwind.

It is possible and ethical to condemn them for their wrongs while also fairly acknowledging the things they've done well, such as this.

 

[Damerman]

I believe they are trying to be transparent now by correcting the western media's misinformation about the Syrian refugees.

there is nothing to defend here. It doesn't matter what the saudis do here.

I wonder if any of those refugees are Kurds or Shia.

 

[Des0lar]

I am really questioning the reality of all this:

Especially after a Kuwaiti official said this absolutely sickening statement on TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZbCK95Zu_0

Saudi Arabia is part of the Gulf Cooperation btw

 

[Phat Michael]

It is possible and ethical to condemn them for their wrongs while also fairly acknowledging the things they've done well, such as this.

That would require being objective and open minded about the middle east. I don't see it happening here.

Despite the fact that I'd say 95% of people in this thread who shout the loudest have never been to Saudi Arabia, let alone the Middle East.

 

[kirblar]

Given the current political climate in Israel, non-Jewish refugees not going there seems like it would be for the best.

 

[Rajack]

Profoundly unmoved by one of the worst regimes on earth complaining that they're unfairly getting a bum rap on this.



Well, not saying Israel shouldn't take refugees, because they should, but Israel is geographically a little more constrained than some of the other countries being talked about.

I wouldn't want the Assyrian refugees to be at the mercy of Israel anyways. Just look at how they treat Palestinians, what's to say they won't do the same to the refugees?

 

[strikeselect]

Baghdad Bob would be proud of this spin.

 

[BobLoblaw]

I just assumed that 0 meant they had no idea how many and rather than just making something up they just said 0. /shrug Either way, the more countries that are willing to help the better.

 

[RustyNails]

I am really questioning the reality of all this:

Especially after a Kuwaiti official said this absolutely sickening statement on TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZbCK95Zu_0

Saudi Arabia is part of the Gulf Cooperation btw

I'm sure you find racists everywhere. If an European minister from Hungary said something similar, would you say that since Hungary is part of EU therefore some other country from EU is also somehow responsible for that outlook? Why are you putting all the middle eastern nations in one basket, and playing a guilt by association game?

 

[Hexa]

I don't buy it.

 

[wildfire]

Well Saudi Arabia decided to put us all on blast. I doubt they have taken that many people but giving migrants a fast path to 2nd class citizenship is an unexpected but very generous move.

 

[Ty4on]

Who wants to live in Israel as an Arab?

I'm no expert on their lives, but 20% of the Israeli population are arabs. Arabic is the second official language of Israel as well.

 

[milanbaros]

Who wants to live in Israel as an Arab?

All the Arabs who live there?

 

[Foutrologue]

Saudi Government was like: Fuck! let's throw out a random number out there! 2.5M..yeah sounds like it would fly well for our press release...

 

[Phat Michael]

Saudi Government was like: Fuck! let's throw out a random number out there! 2.5M..yeah sounds like it would fly well for our press release...

A lot of people seem to be discrediting the Saudi PR, but blindly believe the original image in the OP?

I wonder why this is...

 

[NoblesseOblige]

A lot of people seem to be discrediting the Saudi PR, but blindly believe the original image in the OP?

I wonder why this is...

Person you quoted didn't indicate they bought into the original image either. Just expressed skepticism towards the 2.5 million number. If you think the presented number is accurate by this account alone then it is you that blindly believes things, my friend. It also sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

 

[Stumpokapow]

A lot of people seem to be discrediting the Saudi PR, but blindly believe the original image in the OP?

I wonder why this is...

Because we're more charitable to people trying to enhance human dignity and freedom around the world than a dynastic theocratic autocratic regime with secret police.