Human Rights and Democracy Report 2014: Saudi Arabia - in-year update December 2015

Published 21 April 2016

Between July and December 2015, there was no significant change in the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.

We remain concerned about the use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, especially where this is not in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This includes the execution of those who were under the age of 18 when they committed a crime and the use of the death penalty for a crime other than “the most serious”. We regularly raise the death penalty with the Saudi authorities, bilaterally and through the EU, and will continue to do so. There has been a further rise in the number of executions between July and December. While no official figures are published, according to statistics reported by NGOs, over 50 people have been executed since 30 June. NGOs report that the majority of executions were for murder and drug-related offences.

We are particularly concerned about cases in which individuals are convicted for crimes committed under the age of 18. We continue to raise the cases of Ali al-Nimr, Dawood al-Marhoon and Abdullah al-Zaher, who were all convicted as juveniles, with the Saudi authorities. We expect that they will not be executed.

We remain concerned about the case of Ashraf Fayadh, who was sentenced to death on 17 November for renouncing Islam. It is illegal in Saudi Arabia to practise any religion other than Islam. The publication and possession of other religious texts continues to be severely restricted. We continue to seek suitable opportunities to raise this case and will follow it closely.

We remain concerned by the restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia. The UK strongly supports the right to freedom of religion or belief. Restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia reflect widely-held conservative social values in Saudi society. We must work with Saudi Arabia to identify areas where different faiths could work together, foster trust, then build up to more challenging areas slowly.

We continue to follow closely a number of ongoing cases against human rights defenders (HRDs) and attend trials where possible. While Embassy officials have had some contact with HRDs, it is often the view of the defenders that involvement with foreign representatives and organisations can make their task of pressing for reform harder. However, we continue to press for reform independently, including for better treatment of human rights activists.

On 30 November, a law on NGOs was passed to create a legislative foundation for the formation of national associations, institutions and NGOs within Saudi Arabia.

We remain concerned by the case of Raif Badawi, a human rights activist and blogger. The Saudi authorities have confirmed that his case is with the Saudi Supreme Court for further consideration. Mr Badawi was sentenced on 7 May 2014 to ten years in prison, 1,000 lashes (to be administered 50 at a time on consecutive Fridays), a 10-year travel ban, and a fine of one million Saudi riyals (approximately £176,000). He received 50 lashes on 9 January 2015. Subsequent lashings have been postponed. We have discussed the case at the most senior levels in the government of Saudi Arabia. The UK government is a strong supporter of freedom of expression around the world. We believe that people must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, challenge their governments peacefully, exercise their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and speak out against violations of human rights wherever they occur.

On 21 December 2015, municipal elections took place in Saudi Arabia. These were the first elections in which women could stand and vote. Following the election, 21 women were elected to municipal councils and a further 17 were appointed.

However, we have serious concerns about the ability of women to participate equally in society. The UK has consistently called for women in Saudi Arabia to be able to participate fully in society. Primarily, this means modernising legal and cultural barriers such as the guardianship system, and ensuring that it is not used to prevent women engaging effectively. We will continue to discuss women’s rights with the Saudi government.