Nobel Laureates to Saudi Arabia: The Letter

10 August 2017

The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
King of Saudi Arabia

Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mohammad bin Salman

Your Majesties,
We the undersigned Nobel Peace Prize Laureates appeal to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman to stay the executions of Mujtaba al-Sweikat and the 13 others who were sentenced to death for participating in protests in Saudi Arabia.

Mujtaba al-Sweikat was 18 years old when arrested. His charges include supervising a group on Facebook and photographing the demonstrations, “which is punishable according to the cybercrime bill.” Another juvenile defendant, Ali al Nimr, was charged with setting up a Blackberry page named “The Liberals” and posting photos of the demonstrations, inviting people to participate. The others sentenced include Munir Adam, a partially deaf and blind 20-year-old man, and two others who were juveniles when sentenced.

There are reportedly individuals in the group who committed acts of violence when the peaceful demonstration turned violent. However, all of the individuals arrested in connection with the demonstration were convicted in a mass trial that failed to distinguish the actions of individual defendants in violation of the norms of justice. All defendants were sentenced based on the actions of the worst defendant, but as examples, neither the offenses of Mujtaba al-Sweikat or Ali al Nimr would individually warrant the death penalty.

In coercing their confessions they were reportedly subjected to physical force, including a beating so severe that Al-Sweikat’s shoulder was broken. In court, the defendants repudiated their confessions. In the appeals process, the allegations of physical coercion were reportedly not investigated. If true, that would violate both international law and Sharia law and further undermine the legitimacy of the trial.

We no longer live in a world where countries, large and small, rich and poor, live as islands unto themselves. With nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide participating in social media and getting news on the Internet, we are more aware of the actions of governments across the world than at any time in history.

All political and community leaders and spiritual leaders of all faiths are being watched every minute of the day, on a scale without precedent in history. They are confronted with the fact that the flame has been lit, that particularly their youth has seen freedom and democracy. The desire has been born to have a voice in their future.

Leaders can no longer act with absolute power and impunity in today’s world or dismiss the voices of their constituency. Events are forcing change. And it is the voices of the young, the voices of peaceful dissent, who, if listened to, will help shape this future.

As you rightly preserve your faith’s wisdom and values, we urge you to stand as just leaders and extend the hand of mercy to these young people, and, by staying these executions, correct a great injustice.

In Ernest,

JOSÉ RAMOS-HORTA
1996 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Former President, Timor-Leste

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU
1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
South Africa

LEYMAH GBOWEE
2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Liberia

JODY WILLIAMS
1997 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
United States of America

KAILASH SATYARTHIA
2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
India

SHIRIN EBADI
2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Iran

PRESIDENT F.W. DE KLERK
1993 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Former President, South Africa

LECH WALESA
1983 Nobel Peace Pize Laureate
Former President, Poland

TAWAKKOL KARMAN
2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Yemen

MAIREAD MAGUIRE
1976 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Northern Ireland