There are presently over 100 persons on Death Row in Saudi Arabia, some of whom are foreign migrant workers. The identity of many of these persons is not publicly known, in some cases not even to the FAMILIES of the accused. Such circumstances are inhumane and unacceptable. To advocate for clemency on behalf of these condemned, it’s crucial for the Saudi government to release the names and list the crimes of all persons currently slated for execution.

Amongst the Saudi government’s practices is the use of public beheading as a form of capital punishment. This sentence is carried out for offenses as serious as murder, or as indeterminate as sorcery and witchcraft.

In many of the cases those sentenced to death receive terribly inadequate legal defense, if they receive any at all, or are denied full cognizance of the charges against them. In such instances the death penalty can be regarded as little more than state sponsored murder. It is for this reason that we additionally seek a moratorium on all executions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  

In solidarity with the UN General Assembly, we believe that the use of the death penalty in any form undermines human dignity. A halt to the practice represents a progressive development in universal Human Rights. There is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty has any deterrent value, and any miscarriage or failure of justice in the death penalty's implementation is irreversible and irreparable.

Recently 10 persons, including 8 Bangladeshi migrant workers were beheaded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The brutality of this event shocked the consciences of Bangladeshis the world over. Although the charges of murder and robbery were levied against them in 2007, no news of the situation was made public until after the executions were completed. Of the 100 persons currently on Death Row in Saudi Arabia, at least 5 are Bangladeshi nationals. There identities are not publicly known.

This petition is important because no effort can be made to stay the executions of those on Death Row in Saudi Arabia until their names and the nature of the crimes are made publicly available. In 2008 the UN passed a resolution seeking a moratorium on all executions worldwide. We ask that UN follows up on this, demand that the Saudi government reveal the names and crimes of persons sentenced to death, and place a moratorium on all executions NOW.