Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud, responds to an article about the UN special rapporteur’s report on the country
Re your article on the report of the UN special rapporteur, Ben Emmerson QC, following his five-day inspection of Saudi Arabia (UN report condemns Saudi torture despite reforms, 7 June). The kingdom condemns all forms of torture and supports the right to freedom of expression within the judicial framework. It has enacted some of the most stringent anti-terror legislation in the world which also complies with internationally recognised human rights agreements.
No one is sentenced or imprisoned until proven guilty. Sentences reflect the seriousness of the crime. The Public Prosecution checks all prisons and detention centres to certify that prisoners are being held in accordance with international law.
We comply with the law of criminal procedure to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of prisoners. All detainees are treated with dignity; they are informed of the reason for their detention and they have the right to notify family members. The Saudi Human Rights Commission is present at police stations and prisons to monitor the treatment of prisoners and to record any complaints, and reports from their impromptu visits are submitted directly to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Supreme Court Council appoints criminal court judges on merit. All detainees have independent and fair trials and access to defence counsel in adherence to international standards of law. Government-funded legal assistance is available to those who need it. All court proceedings are open to the public, and experts, journalists and relatives may attend. There are courts of appeal to oversee the decisions of the lower courts.
The kingdom fully cooperated with Mr Emmerson and rejects claims that he was denied access to prisons or certain named prisoners. He was given access to the majority of prisoners that he requested to see unless a timely official request was not received by the authorities, or the prisoners were not detained on terrorism charges and were therefore outside Mr Emmerson’s remit, or they had already been released from prison.
