Obama administration said it “would welcome” an Islamic dictatorship onto the United Nations’ Human Rights Council

In 2010, Freedom House included Saudi Arabia on its list of “the world’s most repressive societies.”

On page 17 of this PDF, Freedom House wrote the following about Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia is not an electoral democracy.

The country’s 1992 Basic Law declares that the Koran and the Sunna (the guidance set by the deeds and sayings of the prophet Muhammad) are the country’s constitution.

Political parties are forbidden, and organized political opposition exists only outside of the country.

The government tightly controls the content of domestic media and dominates regional print and satellite television coverage. Government officials have banned journalists and editors who publish articles deemed offensive to the ruling authorities or the country’s powerful religious establishment. The regime has blocked access to over 400,000 websites that are considered immoral or politically sensitive.

Religious freedom does not exist in Saudi Arabia. All Saudis are required by law to be Muslims, and the government prohibits the public practice of any religions other than Islam.

Women are not treated as equal members of society, and many laws discriminate against them. They may not legally drive cars, their use of public facilities is restricted when men are present, and they cannot travel within or outside of the country without a male relative.

However, in September 2015, after Saudi Arabia was put onto the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said

“… we would welcome it.”