Dec. 27
SAUDI ARABIA:
Saudi Arabia: Disturbing increase in executions
Amnesty International (AI) is gravely concerned at the recent increase in
executions in Saudi Arabia. Eight people have reportedly been executed in
less than one week bringing the total number of executions documented by
AI to at least 31 this year. The 8 include 4 Pakistanis, 3 Iraqis and 1
Saudi Arabian.
The executions of last week account for almost 1/4 of all the executions
recorded by AI this year. AI is concerned that others could be executed in
the coming days or weeks.
While AI does not know how many people face the death penalty or who are
sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, the organization fears that there are
many people currently detained who may be at risk of imminent execution.
This includes 3 women, Majda Mostafa Mahir, Sit Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa
and Sarah Jane Dematera, sentenced to death in connection with murder,
after grossly unfair trials in which their basic rights were denied. Our
organization has continuously appealed to King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to
commute their sentences, including most recently last month.
Trials in Saudi Arabia are often grossly in violation of international
standards for fair trials. They often take place behind closed doors. Most
defendants are not given the right to a lawyer and the right to an
effective appeal. They may also have been convicted solely on the basis of
confessions obtained under duress, torture or deception. Foreign workers
are particularly vulnerable as many do not speak Arabic and may be forced
to sign a confession in a language they cannot understand. They also do
not have access to their family and in many instances, consular
assistance.
AI recognizes the right and responsibility of all governments to bring to
justice those guilty of recognizably criminal offences. However, our
organization fundamentally opposes the death penalty as the ultimate
violation of the right to life. Trials for that purpose must meet
internationally recognised standards of fair trials. The organization is
committed to defending all people against the violations of these
fundamental and internationally recognized rights.
AI urges King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to commute all outstanding death
sentences and to bring trial proceedings of people facing such punishments
in line with international standards.
Background
Almost 1/2 of those executed so far this year have been foreign nationals.
They are 7 Pakistanis, one Sudanese, 1 Yemeni, 4 Iraqis, 17 Saudi Arabians
and 1 Sri Lankan woman.
View all document on Saudi Arabia
http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maac0REabcOfobb0hPub/
(source: Amnesty International)
