Bahrain Mirror: Three Bahraini human rights organizations strongly condemned the Saudi Arabia's execution of 4 activists Amjad Al-Muaibed, Yousef Al-Mushaikhes, Zaher Al-Basri and Mahdi Al-Sayegh from Qatif.

The statement issued by Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights(GIDHR),, Salam for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM) as well as Bahrain Forum for Human Rights (BFHR) read:

The Saudi Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday (July 11, 2017) the execution of 4 activists; Amjad Naji Al-Muaibed, Yousef Ali Al-Mushaikhes, Zaher Abdulrahim Al-Basri and Mahdi Mohammad Hassan Al-Sayegh from Qatif, claiming that they are convicted over terrorism charges. The Saudi authorities use the terrorism charge to retaliate against number of conscience activists and social justice seekers, which is considered extrajudicial killing, especially that is a result of unfair trials.

The number of those executed in Saudi Arabia has increased to 48 since the beginning of 2017. It is noteworthy that 153 people were executed in Saudi Arabia in 2016. Last year, Saudi Arabia executed the same number of people, which is considered the highest rate since 20 years.

GIDHR, SALAM and BFHR condemn this measure and put it in the category of repressive campaign launched by the Saudi authorities against all dissident citizens and activists due to their demands for civil and political rights. Moreover, these executions that were carried out for political reasons are not the first of kind; however, they fall within the series of measures that target Qatif area, in particular, and the citizens who led its opposition movement.

The organizations went on to say "The Saudi authorities use the "terrorism" as a pretext against opposers at any time, and without hesitation". They stress that the "Anti-Terrorism Act" can't be used as pretext to justify this kind of illegal and unjust sentences, especially that this charge is brought against activists and citizens only because they exercise their rights for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are guaranteed by international covenants.

The signatory organizations highlighted that the execution sentences in Saudi Arabia are rejected by international human rights organizations; on top Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. These two organizations urge the Saudi authorities to halt the death penalty for it is in violation of human rights, indicating that what exacerbates the situation is the absence of judicial transparency.

The three human rights organizations condemn the international silence over the deterioration of human rights in Saudi Arabia and urge the international community to immediately act to pressure on Saudi Arabia to halt the death penalty against political activists and dissidents, and to reconsider the minimum standards of human rights and freedoms, stipulated in international conventions and agreements.

Arabic Version