Saudi Arabia calls for first death penalty for female human rights activist

  • 23/08/2018
Saudi women shop at Al-Hayatt mall in Riyadh February 15, 2012. Single men are not allowed into the mall, which is accessible only to families and single women. Picture taken February 15, 2012. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed (SAUDI RABIA - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS) - RTR2XXMO
Photo credit: Reuters/ file

Saudi Arabia is calling for what is believed to be the first death penalty against a female human rights activist.

Israa al-Ghomgham is one of five on trial at the Eastern Province criminal court, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

She's a human rights activist known for taking part in and documenting mass demonstrations in the Eastern Province.

She's the only woman in the group and they face a host of charges including inciting protest, chanting slogans hostile to the regime, and providing moral support to rioters.

The public prosecution has called for their execution, with the next court date set down for October 28, according to HRW.

HRW Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson said: "Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behaviour, is monstrous."

Ms Al-Ghongham and her husband were arrested in December 2015 and have been held in prison since then.

The HRW has accused the Specialised Criminal Court of sentencing Shia people to death on "politically motivated charges".

The country's Shia minority mostly live in the Eastern Province, and some groups have complained that their religious freedom and opportunities for work and education are interfered with by Sunni authorities. The government rejects these accusations, according to The Telegraph.

"If the Crown Prince is truly serious about reform, he should immediately step in to ensure no activist is unjustly detained for his or her human rights work," Ms Whitson said.

The government of Saudi Arabia has not commented to media about Ms al-Ghomgham's case.

Earlier this month Canada demanded that Saudi Arabia arrest any jailed activists immediately, sparking a diplomatic row.

Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian Ambassador on Sunday, blocked imports of Canadian grain and ended state-backed educational and medical programs in Canada.

The United Nations human rights office also called on Saudi Arabia on to release all peaceful activists, including women held for campaigning against a ban on driving even as it was being lifted.

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