NGOs: Shockingly unlawful execution of prominent Saudischolar Sheikh al-Nimr in appalling violation of right to life Eight human rightsorganisations have collectively articulated their shock and disgust at thedecision taken by the Saudi authorities to arbitrarily execute prominent Saudireligious scholar, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, which took place on 2/01/2016.The organisations condemned to the highest degree the execution of Sheikhal-Nimr, along with the execution other Saudi prisoners of conscience The organisations in thisstatement specified “The implementation ofthe death penalty on al-Nimr and other activists was based on discriminatoryideals. Many of the decisions came against the marginalised minority Shia Saudipopulation. Saudi authorities disregarded all international pressures anddemands to reconsider this decision, which has evidently been used as asuppressive political tool. It is a blatant violation against Articles 6 and 14of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and completedisregard to Articles 4 and 5 of the Safeguards Guaranteeing the Protection ofthe Rights of Those Facing the Death Penalty “It must be noted thatSheikh al-Nimr was a vocal but peaceful advocate of political change, and wasof the opinion that this must be done through dialogue. There are no instanceswhere he urged for political violence. The essential right to expression ofopinion is curtailed in Saudi, where the authorities indefinitely detain andflog citizens for their opinions, without trials.” “This latest decisionrepresents a further deterioration in the human rights situation in SaudiArabia, and further supports the current environment that helps religious hatespeech against minorities flourish Saudi Arabia isnotoriously known for having one of the highest executions per million in theworld, with approximately 79 executions in 2013, atleast 157 executions in2015, and already 47 executions in 2016. The death penalty in Saudi Arabia isusually implemented by the use of a sword, stoning, or crucifixion, and manytimes done in public The signatory human rightsorganisations in this statement urge the international community to cometogether and confront Saudi Arabia regarding this criminal decision. Further,urge international bodies concerned with human rights to condemn this decisionand work to seek justice against the perpetrators of the decision compliant tointernational standards of fairness. Signatoryorganisations of this statement are as follows Bahrain Forum for HumanRights SALAM for Democracy andHuman Rights Khiam RehabilitationCenter for Victims of Torture International CouncilSupporting Fair Trial and Human Rights Aman Network forRehabilitation and Dedefense of Human Rights Miezan Association For Human RightsDevelopment European-BahrainiOrganization for Human Rights Justice for Human RightsOrganization |