Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH720
2008-05-05 06:29:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
TORTURE NOT AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE IN SAUDI ARABIA
how-toVZCZCXRO5042 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #0720 1260629 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 050629Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8334 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 9526
S E C R E T RIYADH 000720
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO P, NEA/ARP FOR
BMCGRATH/DABAGWELL/SRAMESH AND DRL/NESCA FOR JLIEBERMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SA
SUBJECT: TORTURE NOT AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T RIYADH 000720
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO P, NEA/ARP FOR
BMCGRATH/DABAGWELL/SRAMESH AND DRL/NESCA FOR JLIEBERMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SA
SUBJECT: TORTURE NOT AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Saudi Arabia in the past four years has made progress
in the the context of human rights. Despite the alleged
incidents of torture mentioned in the 2007 Human Rights
Report, torture is not systematically practiced within the
Kingdom. This is confirmed by DOS Embassy staff, and by
Riyadh GRPO and LEGATT who have regular and close working
relationships with the Ministry of Interior. The Saudi
Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs, Prince
Mohamed bin Naif, recently told the DCM that the SAG has
banned torture within the Saudi penal system. He also stated
that the SAG does not tolerate torture as a systematic
practice, and any violators of this ban will be disciplined
and/or fired. According to the President of the NGO Human
Rights First, Ibrahim Mugateeb (strictly protect),a
well-known human rights, activist who has often criticized
the SAG, told the Ambassador and the DCM that he was thankful
to Prince Naif for not only banning torture in prisons, but
also for punishing its perpetrators.
2. (S) The ban against torture is the result of both human
rights and political concerns. Saudi Arabia remains a tribal
culture. If the SAG torture a member of a given tribe, it
would risk provoking the hostility of the entire tribe.
Therefore, it is not in the SAG,s best interest to condone
or practice torture in the penal system as it would turn
large, influential tribes against the central government.
3. (S) Comment. This initiative by the SAG is a promising
sign that it is taking steps toward eradicating torture in
prisons. However, Saudi society changes slowly, and fully
implementing laws against torture may take time. All mission
elements will continue to watch for indications that Prince
Mohammed bin Naif's instructions against torture are in fact
being respected in practice. End Comment
GFOELLER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO P, NEA/ARP FOR
BMCGRATH/DABAGWELL/SRAMESH AND DRL/NESCA FOR JLIEBERMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SA
SUBJECT: TORTURE NOT AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Saudi Arabia in the past four years has made progress
in the the context of human rights. Despite the alleged
incidents of torture mentioned in the 2007 Human Rights
Report, torture is not systematically practiced within the
Kingdom. This is confirmed by DOS Embassy staff, and by
Riyadh GRPO and LEGATT who have regular and close working
relationships with the Ministry of Interior. The Saudi
Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs, Prince
Mohamed bin Naif, recently told the DCM that the SAG has
banned torture within the Saudi penal system. He also stated
that the SAG does not tolerate torture as a systematic
practice, and any violators of this ban will be disciplined
and/or fired. According to the President of the NGO Human
Rights First, Ibrahim Mugateeb (strictly protect),a
well-known human rights, activist who has often criticized
the SAG, told the Ambassador and the DCM that he was thankful
to Prince Naif for not only banning torture in prisons, but
also for punishing its perpetrators.
2. (S) The ban against torture is the result of both human
rights and political concerns. Saudi Arabia remains a tribal
culture. If the SAG torture a member of a given tribe, it
would risk provoking the hostility of the entire tribe.
Therefore, it is not in the SAG,s best interest to condone
or practice torture in the penal system as it would turn
large, influential tribes against the central government.
3. (S) Comment. This initiative by the SAG is a promising
sign that it is taking steps toward eradicating torture in
prisons. However, Saudi society changes slowly, and fully
implementing laws against torture may take time. All mission
elements will continue to watch for indications that Prince
Mohammed bin Naif's instructions against torture are in fact
being respected in practice. End Comment
GFOELLER