It is a system that generates and perpetuates ill-treatment and torture and offers no opportunity for redress. It is also a system that discriminates, including against religious minorities, women, migrant workers and people accused of violating the country's strict moral codes. This report covers some of the key defects in Saudi Arabia's criminal justice system. The law and practice of arrest and detention in Saudi Arabia are arbitrary and fall far short of internationally recognized safeguards against abuse of power by the state. Criminal laws are vague and open to wide interpretation by judges who enjoy powers unconstrained by rules to safeguard human rights and ensure justice.
Court hearings are summary and secret.
Defendants are invariably denied access to legal counsel and the right to mount their own defence, and they have no opportunity for effective exercise of the right of appeal. These shortcomings are compounded by the reliance of the criminal justice system on confessions obtained by the arresting authorities to secure criminal convictions, obtain information on political activists or force detainees to renounce their political opposition to the government. Amnesty International believes that if the criminal justice system is to offer human rights protection, these areas need to be addressed with the aim of bringing criminal law and procedures into line with international human rights standards. Saudi Arabia recognizes some of these international standards. Reservations may thus not be general, but must refer to a particular provision of the Covenant and indicate in precise terms its scope in relation thereto.