Saudi Arabia killings smack of hypocrisy

Abdullah Makwinja Correspondent
The mass execution of 47 people — 45 Saudis, one Egyptian and a man from Chad — was the biggest mass execution for the so-called security offences in Saudi Arabia since the 1980s. Human rights groups that said the killed were not granted effective legal defence, while the scale of the executions was disturbing, particularly as some of those sentenced to death were accused of non-violent crimes.

International rights bodies have criticised Saudi Arabia for its grim human rights record, arguing that widespread violations continue unabated in the country. The killing of the peaceful activist once again proves to the world the undying Wahhabi spirit of intolerance towards followers of others schools of thought, or faith.

Among the executed was the peaceful political activist who was demanding reforms, freedom of expression, release of prisoners and end of discrimination against Shia Muslims of the oil rich region.

He was charged with instigating unrest and undermining the kingdom’s security, making anti-government speeches and defending political prisoners.

To prove their inhumanity and insensitivity, the Saudi dynasty did not hand over the body of the revered Sheikh claiming that the body had been buried “in a cemetery of Muslims” and would not be handed over to the family.

The Saudi regime seems to be short-circuiting its tortuous existence by upholding the most barbaric sentences against those that dare criticise lack of basic freedoms in the kingdom. The execution of against Shiite scholar, Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr reflects the regime’s extreme nervousness and exposes its brutal nature.

Human rights groups say the kingdom’s judicial process is unfair, pointing to accusations that confessions have been secured under torture and that defendants in court have been denied access to lawyers.

By executing the respected scholar and human rights activist, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, the Saudi regime has added to its long list of crimes. This one, however, may prove its undoing. Sheikh Nimr’s execution reflects the regime’s failures both internally and externally and will only hasten its downfall. The world would be a far better place without this bunch of murderers in the Middle east.

The Saudi regime has committed the ultimate crime: it has executed the respected scholar and human rights activist, Sheikh Nimr al Nimr. By committing this heinous crime, the Saudi dynasty have confirmed their barbaric nature.

They have also dug their own grave by this act of savagery that has now become their signature mark.

The Saudi regime is notorious for banning any calls for reforms, political rights or respect for human dignity. In a decree imposed in January 2014 (the regime rules by issuing decrees, no consultation is deemed necessary as commanded by God in the noble Qur’an (Chapter 42:38) any calls for reforms or withdrawing allegiance to the ruler were declared criminal offences.

Even the worst forms of dictatorships would not be able to impose such draconian measures even if they practice them under the label of promoting people’s rights.

As if the regime’s barbaric actions were not bad enough, the court cleric, the blind Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, defended the executions, calling them a “mercy to the prisoners”. He made the incredible statement saying it would prevent them committing more crimes. Sheikh Nimr’s execution reflects a number of grave problems the Saudi regime face both internally and externally.

First, Sheikh Nimr was a symbol of steadfastness and resistance; he transcended sectarian barriers that the Saudis have erected in order to prolong their tortuous existence.

Contrary to their claims it was the Saudis that unleashed the takfiri terrorists in Syria and Iraq, but recent developments have put them to flight. The Saudis’ takfiri project in both locales is facing serious difficulties.

The takfiris are also beginning to come home to roost. In fact, they do not have to come home; they are already present in the kingdom in large numbers and clearly pose a threat to this despicable family’s rule.

The Saudis’ war on Yemen is also not going well. They have failed to achieve any of their objectives. Instead, the war is likely to lead to the destabilisation of the Saudi rule.

Thus their failures in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have caused them to panic and begin this massive execution spree that would almost certainly short-circuit their tortuous existence. History is replete with such examples.

This barbaric act which exemplifies the killing of democracy, human rights, justice freedom and betrayal of peaceful means of protest the late Sheikh followed, is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

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