JUSTICE IN SAUDI ARABIA

[Disturbed]

JUSTICE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Human Rights Concerns
International organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have investigated claims about the harsh justice system in Saudi Arabia. They've interviewed scores of detainees, both nationals and foreign workers. There are many serious concerns and activists have written reports such as Saudi Arabia: End Secrecy, End Suffering to shed light on this highly secretive justice system.

The Shariah
Criminal cases in Saudi Arabia are heard by the General Sharia (orIslamic court). The last stage of judical review is by the Supreme Judical Council. This 11-member body reviews judgements handed down in major cases. In cases of captial punishment the sentence needs to be approved by the Royal court. These courts interpret the Shariah or Islamic law. The Shariah is known as 'the word of God' and is based upon the Koran.

Reports of Frequent Torture
Prisoners have stated that they were forced to sign false confessions. Methods of getting prisoners to sign include electric shock, cigarette burns, nail-pulling, beatings and threats to family members. There are reports that some prisoners have died as a result.

Corporal Punishment
Flogging and amputation of limbs are used extensively as judicial punishments. They can be applied to many offences ranging from alcohol and sexual offenses to theft. Men, women and children are flogged in prisons and in public squares around the country. There is no upper limit on the number of lashes judges can order. The most lashes ever recorded was 4,000 given to an Egyptian national who was convicted of robbery.

Death by Beheading
Saudi Arabia also has one of the highest rates of executions in the world. This sentence can be applied to a wide range of offenses including 'witchcraft' and 'sexual crimes' both considered 'corruption on earth'.

More...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=103

* The Bush Crime Family are close friends with the top echelon of the Saudi Kingdom. When GW Bush states that he is appaled by torture, beheadings, prisoner abuse, he is at the zenith of hyprocisy.

[NuttyFluffers]

1. SA is on a gnat's ass about Crime and Punishment...

but Justice and Saudi Arabia is pretty much an oxymoron, especially if you are a foreigner.

Whee, our allies!

But outside of the Saud family I wouldn't know who would take power? They'd most likely disintegrate into bedouin society again. Which I don't know if I'm too keen on. Biggest source of oil, most attended holy site (that's been drastically improved under Saud rule), huge supplier of myrrh - to leave that all to the mullahs, I don't know if I'd feel comfortable about the repercussions. And the Saudi people aren't nearly as progressive as we project upon them; I really doubt spontaneous generation of democracy or anything similar in the following power vacuum.