Saudi Arabia is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council despite setting a new record high in annual executions in 2024. The kingdom's bid comes amid criticism from human rights groups who highlight the contradiction between Saudi Arabia's pursuit of a council seat and its continued use of capital punishment.
Sunday, October 6, 2024 9:15AM Saudi Arabia is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council in a vote scheduled for Oct. 9, hoping to reverse its 2020 failure to win a spot on the 47-seat body.
Riyadh continued its executions, including those of people charged for offenses allegedly committed while they were minors. "We don't know what it actually says, but we do know that it's not being implemented," she told ABC News. "From the moment of his arrest we tried to reach him, but they kept him in solitary confinement for almost three months," the family members -- who did not wish to be identified individually for fear of reprisal -- told ABC News.
"He still suffers from foot pain due to the torture and was forced to sign confessions," his family said. One relative of another death row prisoner -- who also requested anonymity -- told ABC News that speaking out could prove fatal. "He has a very controlling hand in the death sentences that are coming down Saudi Arabia and the execution numbers that are going up. So really, all roads do lead back to him."
Russia's war on Ukraine has touched off a tussle for influence over so-called "Global South" and non-aligned nations, among which Saudi Arabia is one of the wealthiest and most influential. The proposal remains a prime goal for both the Democrats and Republicans, and American efforts to seal the deal are likely to continue regardless of who occupies the Oval Office come January.
Saudi Arabia UN Human Rights Council Executions Capital Punishment Human Rights
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