URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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22 July 2005
UA 193/05 Imminent Execution
SAUDI ARABIA
D.D. Ranjith de Silva (m), Sri Lankan national
E.J. Victor Corea (m), Sri Lankan national
Sanath Pushpakumara (m), Sri Lankan national
The three Sri Lankan men named above have reportedly had
their death sentences referred to the King, which is the final
appeal stage of Saudi Arabia's secretive judicial system. The
King may grant clemency, but if he chooses to ratify their
sentences, they could be executed at any time.
The three were reportedly arrested in March 2004, in the
capital, Riyadh. They were reportedly sentenced to death in
October, in connection with a series of armed robberies.
Their sentences were reportedly upheld in March 2005. They
are held in al-Ha'ir prison, in Riyadh.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty for a wide range of
offences. Court proceedings fall far short of international
standards for fair trial, and take place behind closed doors.
Defendants do not have the right to formal representation by
a lawyer, and in many cases are not informed of the progress
of legal proceedings against them. They may be convicted
solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress,
torture or deception.
At least 55 people are known to have been executed in Saudi
Arabia so far this year. Two thirds have been foreign
nationals. The true figure may be much higher.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to
arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing concern that D.D Ranjith de Silva, E.J Victor
Corea and Sanath Kumara are at risk of imminent execution,
and calling on the King to commute their death sentences;
- seeking assurances that the three men are being treated
humanely, and that they have regular access to consular
assistance, their families, their lawyers and any medical
treatment they may require.
APPEALS TO:
King and Prime Minister:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines
His Majesty King Fahd bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al-Saud
Office of His Majesty The King
Royal Court, Riyadh
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Salutation: Your Majesty
Minister of the Interior:
His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin 'Abdul 'Aziz
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
P.O. Box 2933, Airport Road
Riyadh 11134, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: 011 966 1 403 1185 (it may be difficult to get
through, please keep trying)
Salutation: Your Royal Highness
Minister of Foreign Affairs:
His Royal Highness Prince Saud al-Faisal bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al-
Saud
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nasseriya Street
Riyadh 11124, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: 011 966 1 403 0159 (it may be difficult to
get through, please keep trying)
Salutation: Your Royal Highness
COPIES TO:
Ambassador Prince Bandar Bin Sultan
Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington DC 20037
Fax: 1 202 944 3113
Email: [email protected]
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the
Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain
Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after 2
September 2005.
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that
promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank
you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: [email protected]
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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