Geneva Institute for Human Rights

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Rupert Colville issued a statement on January 6 condemning cruel and unusual punishments imposed by the government of Saudi Arabia, including a sharp uptick in the number of executions in the past year.

The number of executions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia almost tripled in 2011 compared with 2010, said Colville. "Last month (December), yet another woman was executed on charges of sorcery and witchcraft," he said. "What is even more worrying is that court proceedings often reportedly fall far short of international fair trial standards, and the use of torture as a means to obtain confessions appears to be rampant." He called on the Saudi government to respect international due process standards, to progressively restrict the use of the death penalty, and to reduce the number of offenses for which it may be imposed.

Colville also expressed grave concern “cross amputation” sentence handed down to six men convicted on charges of highway robbery, which entails amputation of the men's right hands and left feet. The Saudi Supreme Court upheld the sentences on December 24. As a party to the Convention against Torture, Saudi Arabia is bound by the prohibition against the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.