To the Government of Saudi Arabia
1. Conduct an independent investigation into the arrest, detention, trial and execution of al-Naqshabandi, and make the investigation's findings public. The investigation should determine whether any of the due process rights listed above were not respected, and whether al-Naqshabandi was subjected to physical abuse while under interrogation. If it is found that al-Naqshabandi's rights were violated those responsible should be prosecuted and compensation should be granted to his survivors.
2. Return al-Naqshabandi's body to his family for burial in Syria, as the family has requested.
3. Make public the law under which al-Naqshabandi was arrested and convicted, including the precise definition of terms such as "witchcraft" and "polytheistic and superstitious books," and the nature of any legally specified punishments.
4. End the criminalization of "witchcraft," and other such vaguely worded charges. No one should be prosecuted for the exercise of the freedom of expression or belief.
5. Take immediate steps toward the elimination of the death penalty from Saudi law, including immediately halting all executions, and undertaking a full review of the use of the death penalty with a view to its total abolition. Until full abolition is effected, take particular care to scrupulously observe all fair trial standards.
6. Ensure that all laws exist in clear written form, and are freely available to the public and to all parties engaged in legal actions. At a minimum, all crimes punishable by imprisonment, corporal or capital punishment should be codified in written form, in such a way as to make clear each element of the crime that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
To the Government of Syria
In light of the grave abuses suffered by Syrian national al-Naqshabandi in Saudi Arabia, and in light of the pattern of abuse of foreign nationals that has been documented, we urge the Syrian authorities to work to defend the internationally recognized rights of its nationals in Saudi Arabia. In particular, we call upon the Syrian Government to:
1. Request an independent investigation by Saudi authorities of the arrest, detention, trial and execution of `Abd al-Karim al-Naqshabandi, with the findings to be made public. If it is found that al-Naqshabandi's rights were violated, ask that those responsible be prosecuted and compensation granted to al-Naqshabandi's survivors.
2. Continue to press for the return of al-Naqshabandi's body to his family in Syria.
3. Monitor closely the treatment of Syrian nationals in Saudi Arabia, and undertake vigorous efforts to protect them from human rights abuse by Saudi authorities.
4. Ensure that Syrian diplomatic staff in Saudi Arabia visit regularly all Syrian detainees and prisoners in Saudi Arabia, and further ensure that these individuals have access to legal counsel of their choice, as required under international law.
Human Rights Watch/Middle East
Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.
We stand with victims and activists to bring offenders to justice, to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom and to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime.
We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable.
We challenge governments and those holding power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.
We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.
The staff includes Kenneth Roth, executive director; Susan Osnos, associate director; Michele Alexander, development director; Cynthia Brown, program director; Barbara Guglielmo, finance and administration director; Patrick Minges, publications director; Jeri Laber, special advisor; Lotte Leicht, Brussels office director; Susan Osnos, communications director; Jemera Rone, counsel; Wilder Tayler, general counsel; and Joanna Weschler, United Nations representative. Robert L. Bernstein is the chair of the board and Adrian W. DeWind is vice chair.
Its Middle East division was established in 1989 to monitor and promote the observance of internationally recognized human rights in the Middle East and North Africa. Hanny Megally is the executive director; Eric Goldstein is the research director, Joe Stork is the advocacy director; Virginia N. Sherry is associate director; Clarisa Bencomo, Elahé Sharifpour-Hicks, and Nejla Sammakia are research associates; Gamal Abouali is the Orville Schell fellow; Georgina Copty and Awali Samara are associates. Gary Sick is the chair of the advisory committee and Lisa Anderson and Bruce Rabb are vice chairs.
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human rights watchmiddle
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH/MIDDLE EAST
Eric Goldstein
Acting Executive Director
Virginia N. Sherry
Associate Director
Joe Stork
Advocacy Director
Clarisa Bencomo
Elahé Sharifpour-Hicks
Nejla Sammakia
Research Associates
Georgina Copty
Awali Samara
Associates
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Gary G. Sick
Chair
Lisa Anderson
Bruce Rabb
Vice Chairs
Shaul Bakhash
M. Cherif Bassiouni
Martin Blumenthal
Paul Chevigny
Helena Cobban
Patricia Derian
Stanley Engelstein
Edith Everett
Mansour Farhang
Christopher E. George
Rita E. Hauser
Rev. J. Bryan Hehir
Edy Kaufman
Marina Pinto Kaufman
Samir Khalaf
Judith Kipper
Pnina Lahav
Ann M. Lesch
Stephen P. Marks
Rolando Matalon
Philip Mattar
David K. Shipler
Sanford Solender
Mary Ann Stein
Shibley Telhami
Andrew Whitley
Napoleon B. Williams, Jr.
James J. Zogby
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Kenneth Roth
Executive Director
Susan Osnos
Associate Director
Michele Alexander
Development Director
Cynthia Brown
Program Director
Barbara Guglielmo
Finance & Administration
Director
Lotte Leicht
Brussels Office Director
Susan Osnos
Communications Director
Wilder Tayler
General Counsel
Joanna Weschler
United Nations
Representative
Robert L. Bernstein
Chair