Saudi Arabia requested amendments to a draft resolution from the Human Rights Council relating to the effects of drug policy on human rights. During the discussion of the draft resolution on April 4, 2023, during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the representative of Saudi Arabia, Shatha Adel Alahmadi, commented and requested the amendment.
Saudi Arabia requested amendments to a draft resolution from the Human Rights Council relating to drug policy effects on human rights. During the discussion of the draft resolution on April 4, 2023, during the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the representative of Saudi Arabia, Shatha Adel Alahmadi, commented and requested amendments.
The project, submitted by several countries, includes the contribution of the Human Rights Council to limit the effects of drug control policies on human rights based on international rules and laws. The resolution emphasized the importance of respecting, protecting and promoting all human rights, fundamental freedoms and dignity for all individuals, and the rule of law when formulating anti-drug policies.
In addition, the resolution stresses the importance of civil society and communities' contribution to the development of drug control policy. It urges the adoption of a systematic approach to preventing racial discrimination at all stages of drug policy development.
The draft resolution also refers to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention report on human rights violations within anti-drug policies. It called on states to stop violent and corporal sentencing, ensure fair trials and prevent torture in establishing these policies. It indicated that Saudi Arabia was among the 4 countries that carried out the death penalty for drug crimes in 2018. Migrant workers are among the categories most vulnerable to the death penalty on these charges.
The European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights notes that Saudi Arabia's comment on the project shows its insistence on violating international laws and standards. It also uses international platforms and mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, to mislead and justify violations of privacy and sovereignty.
The European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights notes that Saudi Arabia, by objecting to the project, shows its insistence on implementing the death penalty against detainees on drug-related charges, in stark contrast to the promises made by the official Human Rights Commission.
In January 2021, the commission issued a statement referring to stopping the death penalty for drug crimes and considered that this gave those accused of non-violent crimes another chance. However, in November 2022, it suddenly returned to this penalty without justification. On March 12, 2023, Saudi Arabia executed Jordanian citizen Hussein Abu al-Khair. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention had called for his release and considered his detention arbitrary.