The information apparently came from a police officer speaking on condition of anonymity, and mentioned no names or further details. On 19 April Amnesty International wrote to the Saudi Arabian Minister of Interior, seeking clarification of the report, and appealed to the government not to carry out the floggings. Amnesty International also sought details of the charges against the nine to assess whether they were prisoners of conscience. As usual the government has not replied, demonstrating yet again that victims of human rights violations in Saudi Arabia must suffer in secrecy.
Sentences can range from dozens to thousands of lashes.
Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 23 June 2000. All rights reserved.