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: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Saudi Arabia secretly detaining thousands: rights group

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

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[JURIST] Saudi Arabian officials are allegedly using anti-terrorism measures as an excuse to secretly detain, imprison, torture, and even kill thousands of people, according to a Wednesday report by Amnesty International (AI). In its report, AI also called on the international community to apply pressure to Saudi Arabia, specifically urging the League of Arab States to "eview the Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism and amend it in accordance with international standards, balancing the combating of terrorism with the need to ensure appropriate protection of human rights." AI emphasized that the nation's importance in global affairs makes pressuring it to improve human rights norms all the more important: audi Arabia strategically crucial for world powers and ... the country enormous influence over regional and international affairs. ... However, the authorities in Saudi Arabia also use this religious, political and economic clout to shield the government from criticism on its human rights record by its allies.Earlier this month, a Saudi Arabian court reportedly convicted 330 people on terrorism-related charges. The Special Penal Court sentenced one defendant to death, although the name of the prisoner and the charges against him were not made public. In February, the US Department of State released its 2008 Report on Human Rights Practices for Saudi Arabia, in which it identified several significant human rights issues, including "denial of public trials and lack of due process in the judicial system; political prisoners; incommunicado detention" and "lack of government transparency." Last October, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz announced that the kingdom had indicted 991 suspected al Qaeda members. Human Rights Watch (HRW) sought access to the trials in an attempt to ensure compliance with international standards.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on July 22, 2009 (boomark / email).