It is with a heavy heart that I bring forward this petition, driven by the recent unjust and heartbreaking execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazerul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, in Saudi Arabia. This deeply personal issue underscores a glaring violation of human rights and diplomatic norms, wherein foreign nationals are denied their right to consular notification and fair trial procedures, inevitably leading to unjust executions.

This call for action is directed towards The Rt Hon. the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, urging intervention in this critical human rights issue. Saudi Arabia, as a member of the international community, is obligated under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to notify the respective consulates of detained foreign nationals in a timely manner and to allow for proper legal representation. Yet, in these instances, the rights of Mr. Basir and Ms. Akhtar were grossly violated, and their executions went ahead without any notification, disregarding both human dignity and international standards.

Statistics highlight a worrying trend: reports from Amnesty International suggest that Saudi Arabia executed at least 185 people in 2019, with foreign nationals being disproportionately represented among those executed. Furthermore, the lack of transparency and denial of consular access often leaves families and diplomats in the dark until it is too late.

We demand immediate action from the UK government to diplomatically engage with their counterparts in Saudi Arabia, pressing them to honour consular agreements and halt further executions until foreign nationals have been afforded full legal protections and rights of notification and representation. We also call for the UK government to work with international human rights organizations to establish oversight mechanisms ensuring compliance with these international norms.

By signing this petition, you stand in solidarity with those who have been denied their basic human rights and join a global call to halt this cycle of injustice. Together, our voices can pressure the UK government to take a firm stand against these human rights violations, striving for justice and reinforcing the inviolable rights of every individual under international law.

Please add your signature to this petition, urging the UK government to act decisively and advocate for the protection of foreign nationals facing unjust executions.