Summary:
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After a 21-month official ban, a spokeswoman named Liz Throssell said that executions have happened almost every day for the past two weeks.
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She told reporters in Geneva that it was “deplorable” that Saudi Arabia was carrying out executions for drug-related crimes again so soon after a large majority of UN member states voted for a resolution calling for an international moratorium on the death penalty.
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Now 17 executionsThree of the 17 men Saudi Arabia has killed since November 10 for crimes related to drugs and contraband were carried out on Monday.
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Stop an impending execution, however, Ms. Throssell claims that Jordanian Hussein and al-Kheir may be in immediate danger.
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Throssell emphasized that putting people to death for drug crimes goes against international norms and standards.
After a 21-month official ban, a spokeswoman named Liz Throssell said that executions have happened almost every day for the past two weeks.
She told reporters in Geneva that it was “deplorable” that Saudi Arabia was carrying out executions for drug-related crimes again so soon after a large majority of UN member states voted for a resolution calling for an international moratorium on the death penalty.
Now 17 executions
Three of the 17 men Saudi Arabia has killed since November 10 for crimes related to drugs and contraband were carried out on Monday.
Four Syrians, three Pakistanis, three Jordanians, and seven Saudis have all been executed.
OHCHR doesn’t know how many people are on death row in the country because executions are only confirmed after they happen.
Stop an impending execution
Ms. Throssell, on the other hand, claims that Jordanian Hussein abd al-Kheir is in immediate danger.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Incarceration had already looked into his case and decided that his detention was not based on any law and was, therefore, arbitrary.
His right to a fair trial was another critical issue that the rights experts raised.
She said, “We urge the Saudi Government to follow the Working Group’s advice and stop al-Reported Kheir’s planned execution. They can do this by releasing him immediately and without conditions and making sure he gets medical care, restitution, and other remedies.”
Contrary to international law
Ms. Throssell emphasized that putting people to death for drug crimes goes against international norms and standards.
By its international obligations, she said, “We call on the Saudi authorities to adopt a formal moratorium on executions for drug-related crimes, to commute death sentences for drug-related crimes, and to guarantee the right to a fair trial for all defendants, including those charged with such crimes.”
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
