MDE 23/018/2005
13 December 2005
Further Information on UA 323/04 (MDE 23/016/2004, 26 November 2004) and follow-up (MDE 23/007/2005, 21 June 2005) - Fear of death sentence/Unfair Trial/Flogging
Abbas Majood Akanni (m) ]
Murtala Amao Oladele (m) ]
Abbas Azeez Oladuni (m) ]
Nurudeen Owoalade (m) ]
Nurudeen Sani (m) ]
Mohammed Abdulahi Yussuf (m) ] Nigerian nationals, aged 20-30
Wahid Elebyte (m) ]
Ahmed Abbas Alabi (m) ]
Suliamon Olyfemi (m) ]
Mafiu Obadina (m) [
Samiu Hamud Zuberu (m) ]
Kasim Afolabi Afolabi (m) ]
Abdullamim Shobayo (m) ]
Twelve of the men named above reportedly had their sentences increased from five years’ imprisonment and 500 lashes to seven years’ imprisonment and 700 lashes on 30 November in a closed court. The flogging could be carried out at any time. Suliamon Olyfemi remains at risk of execution.
All 13 men have been sentenced in proceedings that fell short of minimum international standards for fair trial. They have not had access to legal or consular representatives or adequate translation facilities throughout the trial proceedings.
The 13 men were originally sentenced in November 2004. They were among hundreds arrested in Jeddah in September 2002 during a fight that resulted in the death of a policeman. All the others were subsequently deported, some after serving prison sentences and receiving corporal punishment.
On 10 August Amnesty International wrote to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs seeking further information about the status of the 13 men and asking what efforts the Nigerian government had made to ensure that the rights of its nationals abroad are protected. Amnesty International received no response, but the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah is known to have raised the case of the 13 men with the authorities.
BACKGROUND
At least 81 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia so far this year ; the true figure may be much higher. Almost half of those executed were foreign nationals.
RECOMMENDED ACTION :
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language :
recognising the right and responsibility of the government of Saudi Arabia to bring to justice those guilty of recognizably criminal offences, but pointing out that flogging is cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment amounting to torture, and that the death penalty is the ultimate violation of the right to life ;
urging them to ensure that Suliamon Olyfemi is not executed, and the 12 other Nigerians are not flogged ;
seeking assurances that the 13 men will be given immediate access to legal representation, consular assistance, including adequate translation facilities, and any medical treatment they may need ;
seeking assurances that any future proceedings against the 13 will meet the minimum international standards for fair trial ;
urging the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs to intervene on behalf of Suliamon Olyfemi and the other 12 men, and ensure that they are protected from the death penalty and corporal punishment.
Minister of the Interior
His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin (Abdul (Aziz,
Minister of the Interior, Ministry of the Interior
P.O. Box 2933, Airport Road,
Riyadh 11134, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax : + 966 1 403 1185 (it may be difficult to get through, please keep trying)
Salutation:Your Royal Highness
Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Royal Highness Prince Saud al-Faisal bin (Abdul (Aziz Al-Saud,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Riyadh 11124, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax :+ 966 1 403 0159 (it may be difficult to get through, please keep trying)
Salutation:Your Royal Highness
Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency Oluyemi Adeniji
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Maputo Street, Zone 3, Wuse District
PMB 130
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory,
Nigeria
Salutation:Your Excellency
Ambassade du royaume d’Arabie Saoudite
Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt, 45
1050 Bruxelles
fax : 02/ 647 24 92
email : beemb mofa.gov.sa
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 24 January 2006.
