Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Islamic Law and International Human Rights: A Study of Gender Equality and Freedom of Religion(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alsuhaibani, Abdulrahman; Andrew, WallaceThis thesis looks at whether Islamic law and international human rights law can work together, especially on gender equality and freedom of religion. It explains that Sharia has its own strong legal and moral basis, but some parts of it do not fully match international human rights rules. The thesis finds that there may be room for agreement on some issues, but not on all of them. In particular, it suggests that full equality between men and women is difficult to achieve within the Sharia framework as discussed in the thesis. It also argues that the issue of apostasy is more open to interpretation and may not always conflict with international law. Overall, the thesis says that complete compatibility is unlikely, but peaceful coexistence and respect for different legal traditions may be a more realistic way forward.6 0Item Restricted REGULATING ALGORITHMIC DISCRIMINATION UNDER THE EU AI ACT: EVALUATING BIAS MITIGATION DUTIES FOR HIGH-RISK AND GENERAL-PURPOSE AI SYSTEMS(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) ALSOMALI, ABDULAZIZ; ZIHAO, LIAlgorithmic systems now allocate work, credit, welfare and even police attention (facial recognition systems). They are not ‘neutral’ instruments; they often reproduce and amplify structural disadvantage. This dissertation asks whether the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, when coupled with the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the equality acquis, can prevent and redress such discrimination. This dissertation argues that the Act is normatively necessary but only conditionally sufficient. Its risk architecture, data‑governance duties, documentation and oversight requirements, and the upstream regime for general‑purpose models supply the right legal levers. Constitutional adequacy will materialise only if implementation embeds equality law into technical practice through three cumulative conditions: (i) standards that require context‑specific metric selection justified by proportionality and the availability of less discriminatory alternatives; (ii) supervision with genuine statistical and legal capacity across the system lifecycle; and (iii) remedial pathways that convert logs and technical files into proof under burden‑shifting rules. Thus this paper turns to a functional comparison with the United States and the United Kingdom shows how adverse‑impact doctrine, discovery, and regulator‑led guidance can be harnessed without sacrificing the coherence of the EU model. Followed by Chapter 5 which sets out a concise implementation blueprint and measurable indicators. On that basis, bias mitigation is framed not as ethics, but as a legal duty by which the Act’s success must be judged.9 0Item Restricted The Legal Framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an economic, social, and environmental Sustainability Transition in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alluhidan, Nouf Ahmed; Chimia, Annamaria; Trepte, PeterThis research examines the legal framework for public–private partnerships (PPPs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a sustainable transition mechanism across three levels: social, economic, and environmental, by analysing all national regulations applicable to PPPs. The private sector could play a significant role in societal prosperity through its direct and indirect effects, making PPPs a crucial component in building sustainable infrastructures in countries. This has led the United Nations to recognise the need for all parties, including governments and the private sector, to cooperate in an international partnership to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, PPPs cannot effectively contribute to the SDGs unless governments implement internal legal reforms and enhance the legal environment. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine the current legal framework for PPPs under Saudi law and assess the extent to which it supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the SDGs. Numerous PPPs have recently been adopted in the country for the first time, with many more in the tendering process at various stages. In this regard, due to the recent adoption of PPPs, there was a strong need to conduct interviews to investigate their application across different sectors in the country. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with government procurement officials, policymakers, and other experts in the field to determine the extent to which PPPs can serve as effective instruments for achieving sustainability in Saudi Arabia. PPPs clearly offer various advantages, including leveraging private sector expertise and funding, enhancing quality, fostering innovation and local content, and enabling risk sharing. However, challenges remain, such as unstable environmental and social regulations, a lack of environmental and social requirements in contracts, negative impacts on public employees, and a wide number of applicants in the short term. In conclusion, the legal framework governing PPPs is critical to ensuring Saudi Arabia’s efforts to achieve its Vision 2030 objectives, some of which align with international standards, while others require serious consideration and reform.114 0Item Restricted THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN DEVELOPING LEGAL CONTRACTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FROM A LEGAL AND ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE(Saudi Digital Library, 2026) Alturki, Abdulaziz; Thomas, PerryThe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal contract development is increasing and has the potential to change traditional legal practices. This dissertation examines the impact of AI on the drafting and use of legal contracts in the United Kingdom, focusing on the legal and ethical challenges and opportunities that arise from AI-assisted and smart contracts. The study adopts a doctrinal research methodology and analyses relevant UK contract law principles, legislation, case law, and regulatory guidance. The research finds that English contract law is generally flexible enough to recognise AI-assisted and smart contracts, provided that the traditional requirements of contract formation, such as offer, acceptance, intention to create legal relations, and capacity, are satisfied. However, the study identifies ongoing legal uncertainty regarding liability, particularly where autonomous AI systems are involved. Ethical concerns, including data protection, lack of transparency, and algorithmic bias, also limit trust in the use of AI in contract development. Despite these challenges, the dissertation highlights that AI can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase access to legal services. The study concludes that clearer regulatory guidance, stronger ethical safeguards, and increased human oversight are necessary to support the responsible use of AI in contract law. Addressing these issues would improve confidence in AI-assisted contracts while ensuring compliance with fundamental legal principles in the UK.20 0Item Restricted Decoupling Decentralisation from Democracy(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alharbi, Faisal; Pritchard, HuwThis dissertation asks a straightforward question: To what extent does Western academic discourse associate decentralisation with democracy, and how does the historical and contemporary application of decentralisation within Islamic governance contexts challenge this association? I argue that decentralisation is not an ideology but a neutral way of organising authority—one that can exist in many political settings. The first part of the study reads key texts with three approaches. First, it examines definitions and shows how democratic features are often included in what should be a general concept. Second, it looks at the narratives constructed by scholars—about context, motives, and origins—and finds that specific Western experiences are often presented as universal. Third, it highlights places where authors and institutions say, explicitly, that “real” decentralisation requires democratisation. Together, these threads reveal a tendency rather than a consensus, but the pattern matters: when democracy is built into the definition, non-democratic examples are ruled out from the start. The second part offers a counter-view by tracing forms of decentralisation in Islamic governance—starting from the Constitution of Medina, through the Rashidun and Umayyad periods, to Abbasid administrative delegation, and modern Saudi arrangements. These examples show that decentralisation can and does operate outside the Western-democratic frame. The conclusion is practical as well as conceptual: if we keep decentralisation definitionally neutral—“a transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions”—we recover its universality and avoid generalising contextual experiences.27 0Item Restricted Between a Chat and a Hard Place: Technical Compliance Measures and Intermediary Liability in End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Platforms under the Online Safety Act(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) AlEid, Haneen; Lachlan, UrqhartThis study investigates the complex interplay between content moderation, platform liability, and end-to-end encryption (E2EE) within the legal context of the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act 2023. It critically assesses how the Act approaches intermediary liability for E2EE-enabled platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram, with particular attention to the feasibility, effectiveness, and proportionality of proposed technical measures for moderating encrypted communications. The research further explores the evolving regulatory mandate of Ofcom and identifies pathways to reconcile public safety objectives with the safeguarding of user privacy. By integrating legal analysis with a technical understanding of encryption and platform architecture, the study seeks to advance a rights-respecting and technically grounded model of platform accountability. It argues that aligning regulatory frameworks with realistic technological capabilities is not only essential for effective governance but also vital for maintaining public trust in digital communication systems.11 0Item Restricted A comparative analysis of corporate governance frameworks’ roles in integrating ESG into mergers and acquisitions in the UK and the US, and how they enable or hinder its integration in mergers and acquisitions.(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Jan, Jumanah; Clare, PattonThis research examines the role of corporate governance frameworks in the UK and the US in enabling or hindering the integration of ESG in mergers and acquisitions. As ESG has become increasingly significant to transactional outcomes, yet a gap persists in comprehending whether governance integrates as an essential component or permits it to remain optional. This research examines this deficiency through a comparative legal analysis of the framework of the United Kingdom and the United States. This research implements a doctrinal and comparative methodology to examine legislation, soft-law instruments, and case law in both jurisdictions, supported by academic and empirical evidence. The analysis compares the UK’s principled approach, whilst assessing section 172 of the Companies Act 2006, and the US’s prescriptive approach embedded in Delaware’s fiduciary duties. The findings reveal that the UK framework is designed to grant flexibility but is obstructed by inadequate enforcement. In contrast, the US framework provides assurance yet is constrained by its focus on shareholder primacy. Consequently, neither framework completely embeds ESG into M&A, hence its integration is dependent on the board's commitment, investor pressure, and market conditions. This dissertation suggests that corporate governance functions as both a promoter and a hindrance to ESG in M&A, highlighting the necessity for more uniform guidelines, ESG metrics, and to reconcile the disparity between ESG’s theoretical significance and its inconsistent practical application.13 0Item Restricted Governance, Policy, Ethics, Law, and Risk Management in IT and Cybersecurity(Saudi Digital Library, 2024) Alharbi, Asia; Tuffley, DavidThis paper delves into the diverse and evolving fields of IT and cybersecurity governance, ethics, and law, focusing on their essential role in managing digital risks and promoting the responsible use of technology. It discusses major frameworks such as COBIT 2019 and ITIL 4, which help align IT operations with business objectives and strengthen organizational performance. The study further explores approaches to ethical hacking, incident handling, and responding to data breaches, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and accountability. In addition, it examines pressing ethical issues related to artificial intelligence, open-source development, and telemedicine, as well as challenges surrounding cyber risk management, insurance, and data privacy in remote work environments. By connecting these aspects, the paper underscores how strong ethical governance and compliance systems build trust, ensure accountability, and enhance resilience within organizations. In conclusion, it argues that achieving sustainable digital transformation requires a thoughtful balance between technological advancement, legal adherence, and moral responsibility.38 0Item Restricted Balancing Profit and Ethics: The Impact of Human Rights Due Diligence Laws on International Business Operations(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alatawi, Baseel; Qingxiu, BuSupply chains have taken centre stage in the discussions on corporate accountability, sustainability, and protection of human rights across the world. Due to a series of alleged labour rights abuses, environmental destruction and systemic failures in governance, jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union, have been responding with the creation of legislative tools to reinforce corporate due diligence and align business practices with international sustainability criteria, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the French Duty of Vigilance Law, the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, and a proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This article will look at the transformation, scope, and effectiveness of compulsory human rights and environmental due diligence frameworks in various jurisdictions. It will help to assess the effect on corporate governance, supply chain transparency, and accountability, and find the major challenges and opportunities to harmonise at the transnational level. Qualitative research design has been used, and it is based on the doctrinal analysis of law, critical comparison of statutes, case law, and secondary literature, and even comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks among jurisdictions. Articles in academic journals, legal commentary, policy papers, and official legislative documents were reviewed systematically to determine the trends in compliance, enforcement, and governing outcomes. Results indicate an increased overlap in legislative initiatives to introduce human rights and environmental due diligence into corporate practice, albeit with wide differences in application and implementation across regulations. The French Duty of Vigilance and the German LkSG are strict examples of corporate responsibility, and the UK Modern Slavery Act has been accused of laxity in enforcement. The future CSDDD is expected to offer a more harmonised approach at the EU level; however, its extraterritorial scope and balancing of the competitiveness of businesses with human-protecting rights measures are still disputed. All in all, companies are feeling the pressure of heightened compliance, and the evidence is mixed on whether this has led to substantive improvements for the workers and communities affected. The introduction of mandatory due diligence laws has changed the paradigm of voluntary corporate social responsibility to a mandatory requirement of the law. Although these frameworks have improved the global management of business and human rights, there are still problems with how to make these systems effective, eliminate the ritualistic nature of compliance, and deal with the power asymmetry of global supply chains. It is concluded in the study that there is a need to further harmonise the legislative measures and enforce them in a robust manner, and incorporate worker-led practices in ensuring legislative reforms yield significant protection of human and environmental rights.6 0Item Restricted Protection of Journalists in Areas of Armed Conflicts and Wars Under Principles of International Law(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alanazi, Amal.D; Grena, EileenReporting on armed conflicts and the violent situations has become more increasingly dangerous, with many journalists and media professionals being killed or deliberately targeted due to their work. These threats come from both government forces and Non-State Actors (NSAs), raising concerns about sufficiency and enforcement of existing international legal protections. The classification of a violent situation under international law significantly impacts the legal status and treatment of journalists, whether they are war correspondents, embedded reporters, or independent media professionals. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) provides protection for journalists during armed conflicts, whether these conflicts are international or non-international. This differs from peacetime, during which journalists are safeguarded under International Human Rights Law (IHRL). Various international conventions, including ICCPR, outline human rights protection mechanisms for journalists. While, IHL establishes specific protections for journalists through treaties such as the “Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, the Geneva Convention of 1929 (GC 1929), the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949, and the Additional Protocols of 1977 (AP-I &AP-II)”. IHL classifies journalists into two categories. The first category includes war correspondents, who are officially accredited by armed forces. Their status is defined under the “1949 Geneva Conventions”. The second category consists of journalists engaged in dangerous professional tasks during armed conflicts, as recognized in “Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol of 1977”, which applies to international armed conflict zones. In event of capture, war correspondents are granted prisoner-of-war status under Third GC of 1949. The journalists who 10 undertake dangerous tasks in conflict zones are legally recognized as “civilians under Article 79 of AP-I”, ensuring their protection under international law. This dissertation investigates whether the existing international framework adequately safeguards journalists and media personnel reporting from armed conflict zones. The analysis encompasses current legal provisions under IHL, along with recommendations from international, regional, and non-governmental organizations. A key objective is to assess whether violence against journalists should be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity, granting the ICC automatic jurisdiction in cases where national courts fail or refuse to prosecute such offenses. In addition, this research aims to propose measures to strengthen protection of journalists and media professionals in conflict zones. Findings indicate that current international legislative framework for journalists in war zones are inadequate, with little to no commitment from states to address this gap. Relying solely on IHRL and IHL to protect journalists—who play a vital role in upholding democracy and rule of law, particularly in Western democracies—has proven ineffective. It is imperative that states act swiftly to establish a dedicated treaty ensuring protection of journalists and media workers in conflict areas. UNGA should direct UNILC, under Article 13(1) of the UN Charter, to begin an urgent study on the development of international legal protections for journalists and media professionals in conflict zones. Findings of “International Law Commission Draft Articles on the Protection of Journalists and Media” should be formally adopted by United Nations, ultimately leading to a new international convention aimed at safeguarding journalists and media personnel covering armed conflicts56 0
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