By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – On October 31, Saudi authorities beheaded 5 men convicted of rape and murder, and on November 1, Saudi authorities beheaded 3 men convicted of three separate murders.  Also, on November 2, an Egyptian man convicted of “sorcery” was beheaded.  These executions followed King Abdullah’s visit to the UK which was met by protest.  Individuals and human rights groups protested the king’s visit to the UK because of the numerous human rights violations that occur in Saudi Arabia – specifically the state’s oppression of women, political activists, and religious minorities; treatment of foreign workers; and the state’s implementation of the death penalty (especially against minors).

In Saudi Arabia, those convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape, and armed robbery are executed in public with a sword.  However, according to Amnesty International, these convictions are often based on confessions which result from “torture, duress, and deception.”  According to human rights groups, nearly 130 executions have occurred in 2007; more than three times the amount in all of 2006.  Also, in many cases, even capital ones, the defendants do not have formal representation by a lawyer.  Arrests and detentions are often arbitrary and the court proceeding kept secret.  Also, according to official Saudi records, over 3,000 political detainees are being held without being charged.

On October 24, New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, made a failed appeal to the Saudi Government to pardon Hadi Ali Suliaman al-yami, a brother of Saudi studying in New Zealand.  Meshel Ali Suliaman, made an appeal to Amnesty International at 3pm, after finding out that his brother was to be executed at 6pm.  Hadi Ali Suliaman al-yami was convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for helping a friend escape from jail.  His sentence was changed to death a few days before his execution.  No reason for the change has been discovered.

Protestors called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to pressure King Abdullah to make reforms.  However, according to the king, reforms are being made.  Last month, King Abdullah announced that the penal code would be put in writing.  Human rights groups hold that such a reform will only be constructive if it puts in writing what acts the Sharia (religious law) and Saudi government deem criminal and sets out clear sentencing guidelines, instead of relying on the judge’s discretion.

For more information, please see:
AHN – Saudi Authorities behead 8 convicted men in two days – 2 November 2007

Reuters – Saudi executes Egyptian for practicing “witchcraft” – 2 November 2007

BBC – Saudis behead three more convicts – 1 November 2007

International Herald Tribune – Saudi beheads 2 Saudis, Yemeni for murders – 1 November 2007

Associated Press – Britons protest visiting Saudi king – 31 October 2007

Guardian Unlimited – Brown set for talks with Saudi king – 31 October 2007 l

International Herald Tribune – Saudi beheads 5 nationals for murder, rape of teenager – 31 October 2007

Amnesty International – Saudi Arabia: human rights briefing 30 October 2007 – 30 October 2007

Amnesty International – Saudi Arabia : paying the price for raising human rights– 30 October 2007

International Herald Tribune – Saudi authorities behead Saudi man for killing a compatriot – 28 October 2007

International Herald Tribune – Saudi authorities behead 3 Bangladeshi men – 26 October 2007

New Zealand Herald – Clark appeal fails to halt beheading – 25 October 2007

Human Rights Watch – Time for Britain to speak up – 23 October 2007