The Implications of Saudi Arabia’s Execution of Two Shi’a Bahrainis

Saudi Arabia Executes Two Shi’a Bahrainis on Terrorism Charges

Saudi Arabia has executed two Shi’a men from Bahrain following a “grossly unfair trial” on terrorism-related charges, according to Amnesty International. Jaafar Sultan and Sadeq Thamer were arrested in May 2015 and held incommunicado for more than three months. The charges were related to allegations of smuggling explosives inside Saudi Arabia and participating in protests in Bahrain. The two Bahrainis were tried and sentenced to death in Saudi’s notorious Specialized Criminal Court in October 2021 following protest-related charges. Rights groups have called the trial grossly unfair.

Overbroad Terrorism Laws to Suppress Dissent and Target Religious Minorities

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as well as other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, continue to use overbroad provisions contained within terrorism laws to suppress dissent and target religious minorities. Counterterrorism laws in the GCC typically include broad, vague charges and definitions of terrorism used as catch-all provisions to punish peaceful dissidents, political activists, and human rights defenders.

Sectarian Discrimination Against Shi’a Muslim Minority

Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a Muslim minority has long suffered systemic discrimination and been targeted by state-funded hate speech. Bahrain’s Shi’a majority also suffers from discrimination. The Bahraini authorities have systematically targeted Shia clerics and have violently arrested numerous human rights defenders with Shia backgrounds. Overly broad terrorism charges have also been exploited by other Gulf states. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) sentenced Khalaf Abdul Rahman al-Romaithi to 15 years in prison on terrorism charges following a grossly unfair trial known as the “UAE94” mass trials of 94 critics of the Emirati government.

Due Process and Fair Trial Rights Violations

Human Rights Watch has documented longstanding violations of due process and fair trial rights in Saudi Arabia’s criminal justice system, making it unlikely that Sultan and Thamer received a fair trial leading up to their execution. Human Rights Watch opposes the death penalty in all countries and under all circumstances as a cruel and inhumane punishment.

Editorial and Advice

This development highlights yet again the need for fundamental changes to be made in the GCC countries’ legal systems. The use of overbroad terrorism laws to suppress dissent and target religious minorities is not acceptable and is in direct contradiction with basic human rights principles. The discrimination against the Shi’a Muslim minority in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain must come to an end. Additionally, ensuring due process and fair trial rights for all defendants in GCC countries is essential.

The international community must continue to put pressure on GCC countries to reform their legal systems in order to bring them in compliance with international human rights standards. Furthermore, the use of the death penalty in all circumstances must be abolished, as it is a cruel and inhumane form of punishment. Finally, human rights defenders and organizations should continue to work towards raising awareness of human rights violations in these countries and advocating for change.

Execution, Saudi Arabia, Shi’a, Bahrain–politics,humanrights,SaudiArabia,Bahrain,Shi’a,execution