Emphasizing the lack of transparency in the judicial system, Human Rights Watch said that Saudi Arabia urgently needs fundamental changes in the judiciary.
According to Pak Sahafat News Agency International Group, Human Rights Watch said Friday that Saudi Arabia must ensure that its future criminal law is fully in line with international human rights standards.
According to Russia Today, “Michael Page, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said: “In order for the Saudi judicial system to be fair, independent and effective, there is an urgent need for fundamental change, but the repressive atmosphere in which it is taking place is unreliable.” Saudi Arabia legitimizes the insulting and repressive practices that have been created for decades in the absence of written criminal law.
Based on its previous documents and in consultation with Saudi human rights activists abroad, the organization outlined five major amendments that should be included in the Saudi written penal code and are expected to comply with international standards:
First: Saudi Arabia must ensure that all provisions of the Penal Code and other relevant laws that criminalize or punish criminal behavior are codified.
Second: it should not include provisions that allow the Saudi government to arbitrarily suppress the people for the peaceful expression of their views and punish them in violation of international legal obligations.
Third: does not include provisions that violate people’s rights, including privacy and discrimination.
Fourth: does not include punishments such as torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment such as stoning, amputation or flogging.
Fifth: Failure to include the death penalty for any crime and its explicit abolition.
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Saudi human rights activists have called for the release of some prisoners
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly criticized widespread violations of the Saudi criminal justice system. Defendants of crimes, including children, often face systematic violations of judicial rights and a fair trial, including arbitrary detention.
Human rights organizations have stated that since the rise to power of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has deteriorated, raising questions about why security measures in Saudi Arabia have increased since bin Salman came to power.
Saudi observers say Riyadh’s record of torture, executions and extrajudicial killings, and the disappearance of atrocities and detainees have led to Saudi international institutions ranking it as the worst country in the world.
Previously, the results of the research of the Center for Studies and Publications “Al-Bayt Al-Khaliji” showed; Saudi Arabia ranks first among the GCC member states in terms of repression, tyranny and crimes related to the killing of civilians.
According to the study, Saudi Arabia is witnessing brutal trials and detentions of detainees, and the trial of dozens of citizens accused of freedom of expression also has legal implications.