URGENT ACTION APPEAL UPDATE
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Note: Please write on behalf of these people even though
you may not have received the original UA when issued on
July 22, 2005. Thanks!
28 November 2005
Further Information on UA 193/05 issued 22 July 2005
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
Amnesty International has learned that King Abdullah bin
'Abdul 'Aziz Al-Saud is currently considering the death
sentences of Sri Lankan nationals D.D. Ranjith de Silva,
E.J. Victor Corea and Sanath Pushpakumara. The King has
the power to grant clemency or ratify the death sentences of
the three men. If the sentences are ratified, the men could
be executed at any time.
The three were reportedly arrested in March 2004, in the
capital, Riyadh and sentenced to death in October 2004, 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 76 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:
- acknowledging that the government has a right to bring to
justice those responsible for criminal offences, but
expressing unconditional opposition to the death penalty;
- reminding the authorities that Saudi Arabia is bound by
international standards for fair trial in capital cases,
including the right to seek pardon or commutation of the
sentence;
- urging the King to commute the death sentences of D.D.
Ranjith de Silva, E.J. Victor Corea and Sanath
Pushpakumara.
APPEALS TO:
King and Prime Minister
The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines
His Majesty King Abdullah bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al-Saud
Office of His Majesty The King
Royal Court, Riyadh
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Salutation: Your Majesty
COPIES TO:
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 0645 (it may be difficult to get
through, please keep trying)
Ambassador Prince Bandar Bin Sultan
Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington DC 20037
Fax: 1 202 944 3113
Email: i...@saudiembassy.net
Ambassador Bernard A.B. Goonetilleke
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 232 7181
Email: slemba...@slembassyusa.org
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
January 9, 2006.
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: u...@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL UPDATE
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