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Responding to the information that the Saudi Arabian authorities at present executed two Pakistani nationals for drug-related crimes, the primary such executions for the reason that nation’s Human Rights Fee introduced a moratorium on the usage of the loss of life penalty for drug-related crimes in January 2021, Diana Semaan, Amnesty Worldwide’s Appearing Deputy Director for the Center East and North Africa, mentioned:
“This placing escalation within the nation’s use of the loss of life penalty this yr reveals the true face the Saudi authorities are hiding behind the so-called progressive reforms agenda they’re presenting to the world. Trampling on the official moratorium on drug associated crimes, they arbitrarily took the lives of two Pakistani nationals.
“The lives of people on loss of life row for drug-related crimes and different crimes are in danger. Whatever the crimes dedicated, nobody ought to endure this merciless, inhuman and degrading punishment.
“Saudi Arabia should instantly set up an official moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the loss of life penalty within the nation. The authorities should assessment the instances of all prisoners at the moment beneath a loss of life sentence with the goal of commuting their sentences or providing them a honest retrial with out recourse to the loss of life penalty. They have to additionally carry all legal guidelines and judicial practices in keeping with honest trial ensures.”
Background
In January 2021, the Saudi Human Rights Commission stated that the nation has enforced a moratorium on drug-related crimes, and that “the Kingdom and its justice system are focusing extra on rehabilitation and prevention”.
Following this announcement, Saudi Arabia didn’t perform any executions for drug-related crimes. Nevertheless, there was no official change to Saudi legal guidelines, together with the Saudi Medicine and Narcotics Management Legislation which gives that drug smuggling or associated crimes are punishable by loss of life beneath ta’zir (the discretion of the choose).
Because the starting of 2022, the Saudi authorities have carried out 128 executions.
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