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REPORT o Saudi Arabia: A secret state of suffering
ISSUES o torture o military, security and police relations
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AI Index: MDE 23/06/00 Saudi Arabia
Muhammad al-Hayek Muhammad al-Hayek, a 29-year-old Saudi Arabian, was arrested in 1996 and detained for more than two years without charge or trial. He died in June 1998 at the headquarters of al-Mabahith al-'Amma (General Investigations) in al-Dammam in circumstances that suggest that torture may have been a contributory factor. Relatives were only informed of his death the following month, on 20 July, by members of al-Mabahith al-'Amma. The family was refused permission to collect Muhammad al-Hayek's body and was told that it had already been buried at an undisclosed location. To Amnesty International's knowledge an official investigation has not been conducted into the cause of Muhammad al-Hayek's death. His relatives have never been provided with an explanation. The reason for Muhammad al-Hayek's arrest is unclear, but is believed to be connected to his religious practices. Members of the Shi'a Muslim community in Saudi Arabia, estimated at between 7 and 10 per cent of the population, suffer systematic political, social, cultural as well as religious discrimination. Shi'a Muslims are prevented by fear of prosecution from practising freely their faith. Police brutality, torture and ill-treatment in many police stations, prisons and detention centres continue to be commonplace in Saudi Arabia, despite the country's accession to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in September 1997. |
What you can do Please write, calling for an investigation into Muhammad al-Hayek's death in custody. Send your letters to:
His Majesty King Fahd bin 'Abdul 'Aziz
His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin 'Abdul 'Aziz |
Muhammad al-Hayek
Hani al-Sayegh