Saudi Arabia: Stop the Execution of Ali al-Nimr
Ali Mohammed Bagir al-Nimr faces imminent execution for crimes he allegedly committed when he was just 17 years old. The evidence against him? A forced "confession" under torture.
Ali al-Nimr was arrested on February 14, 2012. He was not allowed to see his lawyer, and said that officers at the General Directorate of Investigations prison in Dammam (Eastern Province) tortured him to make him sign a "confession". He was tried for offences including taking part in demonstrations against the government, attacking the security forces, possessing a machine-gun and armed robbery.
Ali al-Nimr was sentenced to death on May 27, 2014. The sentence was upheld by both the Specialized Criminal Court and the Supreme Court. With all appeals exhausted, his execution could take place as soon as the King ratifies the sentence.
Ali al-Nimr is the nephew of prominent Shi'a cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr who was also sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court on October 15, 2014, and executed along with 46 other prisoners on January 2, 2016. Among his alleged offences was calling for demonstrations.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most prolific executioners in the world, putting more than 2,200 people to death between 1985 and 2015. All too often trials in death penalty cases are held in secret and their proceedings are unfair and summary, with no legal assistance or representation through the various stages of detention and trial.
Take action to stop the death penality of a young man. Call on the King of Saudi Arabia to stop the execution of Ali al-Nimr!
To: His Majesty Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
c/o the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Canada
I am concerned that Ali Mohammed Bagir al-Nimr faces imminent execution after reportedly being forced to "confess" under torture to alleged offences which took place when he was just 17 years old.
Ali al-Nimr was sentenced to death on 27 May 2014 after an unfair trial during which he was denied the most basic needs to prepare his defence, including access to his lawyer.
Saudi Arabia is a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which strictly prohibits the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by anyone below the age of 18.
I urge you to:
- Quash Ali Mohammed Baqir al-Nimr's conviction and death sentence, and ensure that he receives a fair trial in line with international law and standards and without recourse to the death penalty.
- Open an independent investigation into his allegation of torture and other ill-treatment.
- Immediately establish an official moratorium on all executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
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Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
