On Wednesday 27 June, at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council and under Agenda Item 4, Duaa Dhainy delivered an oral intervention on behalf of ADHRB and in cooperation with the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights. In her intervention, Duaa noted the deterioration in the rights situation in Saudi Arabia and the increase in executions on bogus charges of terrorism, as well as the kingdom’s growing restrictions on civil society and dissidents. Click here for a PDF of her intervention in Arabic, and here for a copy of her intervention in English. Continue reading for the text of her remarks in English.
Mr. President,
ADHRB and the European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) believe that Saudi Arabia is witnessing a deterioration in the human rights situation which contradicts with what the government is promoting as reforms and changes.
Since the beginning of 2018, the government has carried out 53 executions, 44 percent of which were for crimes that are not considered serious crimes in international law. In addition, at least 42 people are at risk of execution at any moment, including eight children.
The Saudi government ignores the repeated calls made by Special Rapporteurs or UN bodies in its executions and death sentences, and uses the anti-terrorism law to justify violations. In addition, there has been a recent increase in arbitrary arrests, as the government has launched a series of arrests over the past months, arresting businessmen, clerics, princes, activists and others, as well as continuing torture practices in prisons, which in some cases lead to death.
The deterioration of human rights in Saudi Arabia is accompanied by growing restrictions on civil society and the media, and on every opinion that is opposes to the official opinion, which contributes to distorting the facts about what is happening in the country.
The credibility and continuity of the Human Rights Council’s work effectively requires serious accountability of Saudi Arabia for its practice and violations, especially as a member of the Council for the fourth time.
Thank you.
