Saudi Arabia: Withdraw Draft Counterterrorism Law
\nProposal Would Create Legal Veneer for Unlawful Practices
\nAugust 2, 2011<\/p>\n
“The draft counterterrorism law is trying to enshrine as legal the Saudi Interior Ministry\u2019s unlawful practices. It lumps peaceful political opposition together with violent acts and ensures that the accused won\u2019t get a fair trial. ” Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch<\/p>\n
(Beirut) \u2013 Saudi Arabia\u2019s King Abdullah should withdraw a draft counterterrorism law from consideration by the cabinet because it would facilitate serious human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the king. Human Rights Watch urged the government to consult with international human rights experts to draft a new counterterrorism law that would protect rather than infringe on basic rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe draft counterterrorism law is trying to enshrine as legal the Saudi Interior Ministry\u2019s unlawful practices,\u201d said Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch. \u201cIt lumps peaceful political opposition together with violent acts and ensures that the accused won\u2019t get a fair trial.\u201d<\/p>\n
Human Rights Watch received a copy of the draft law, the Penal Law for Crimes of Terrorism and Its Financing, on July 22, 2011, from a source who indicated that it was \u201cin the last stages of discussion.\u201d The Security Committee of Shura Council, Saudi Arabia\u2019s appointed parliament, which exercises limited legislative functions, passed a slightly amended version of the draft law on June 26. Shura Council changes are non-binding recommendations for the Council of Ministers, which drafts, enacts, and enforces the law.<\/p>\n
The draft law seriously undermines human rights protections in four key areas, Human Rights Watch said. It contains an extremely vague and overbroad definition of terrorism, places unwarranted restrictions on the rights to free expression and assembly, grants excessive police powers without judicial oversight, and infringes on the rights to due process and a fair trial. …more<\/a><\/p>\n