Fingerprints to replace witnesses identifying women in Saudi Arabia courts

The Saudi Ministry of Justice said it will implement fingerprint authentication to replace the current process in which a witness would have to testify on the identity of a woman in court, according to a report by Al-Madinah newspaper.

The fingerprint authentication system is part of several new changes intended to promote the employment and presence of women in courtrooms and legal directorates throughout the country.

“The ministry is opening women’s sections in its directorates and facilities,” said the source. ”The women’s offices will be fully equipped and segregated. The ministry is trying to offer employment opportunities for women to fill a large number of vacancies.”

The changes come at a time when the country’s population is experiencing rapid growth, leading to the expansion of the ministry.

As such, there has become an increasing need to hire more employees in administrative, technical and judicial positions, said the source.

Previously reported, as part of the second phase of Saudi Arabia’s initiative to collect biometric data from foreign residents, all visitors will now be required to submit fingerprints and biometrics when entering Saudi Arabia and/or upon the renewal of their dependent’s identification card.

Article Topics

biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint authentication  |  Saudi Arabia