Rights groups and MPs criticise eulogies to Saudi ruler

Human Rights advocates have criticised the growing number of glowing eulogies paid to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah by democratic political leaders.

Prime Minister David Cameron and the Prince of Wales are due to arrive in Riyadh later today to attend a memorial service to the King, who ascended the throne in 2005.

In accordance with the traditions of Wahhabism, the ultra-conservative form of Sunni Islam followed by the kingdom, he was buried immediately after Friday prayers yesterday. The 13th of the 45 sons of King Abdulaziz, the authoritarian king has been praised as a "reformer" by a number of Western leaders.

David Cameron saying he was "deeply saddened", by his death, whilst US Secretary of State John Kerry praised him as a "revered leader".

A number of government buildings across England and Wales have been flying the Union Flag at half mast as a sign of respect.

Officials said the move came after a formal request from Buckingham Palace, and it has attracted ire from politicians and members of the public.

Under his reign, the king promised to give women more freedom, and sponsored an mixed-education graduate level university. He also appointed a female minister to represent the interests of women's education, and passed a landmark ruling granting women the right to vote and run in municipal elections in 2015.

However many of the initatives have been blocked by conservatives, and it remains unclear whether Saudi women will win their fight to vote this year.

In 2005, Abdullah pledged women would be permitted to drive, but the ban remains in place. Under the 'guardianship' system women effectively have no independent rights.

His modest efforts have been hailed as a bold step forward in the ultra conservative country. Speaking from Davos, the head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde told the Guardian the King was "strong advocate of women".

This advocacy did not appear to extend to his daughters, who claim they have been trapped in the royal compound in Jeddah for the last 14 years. In an interview with Channel 4 News, eldest daughter Princess Sahar said:

The death penalty is still widely used in Saudi Arabia: public beheadings, amputations and lashings are used as punishment under the judicial system and basic freedoms are limited for men and women.

Those arrested within the kingdom regularly face systematic violations of their rights, according to Human Rights Watch, including torture. Last year, authorities subjected "thousands of people to unfair trials and arbitrary detention", HRW said.

Amnesty International, whilst praising his attempts to initiate judicial reforms and codify laws that would enhance women's rights and the justice system, said the kingdom's record remains dire.

Read: Saudi blogger's flogging postponed for health reasons as protests grow

Human Rights Watch urged the new ruler, King Salman to move the country forward and initiate the promised reforms.

Vote: Should British flags have been lowered to mark the death of King Abdullah