While expressing any form of dissent or differing opinion freely is becoming increasingly dangerous across the world, in Saudi the consequences of speaking against the regime can be drastic. After the flogging of a blogger who wrote against the government and bigotry, BBC reported that a young blogger is facing execution by crucifixion for talking against the government.
The 20-year-old Ali Mohammed Al Nimr is accused of taking part in anti-government protests, in Saudi Arabia’s eastern part dominated by a Shia minority. His alleged role in the protests during “Saudi’s secret uprising” led to Nimr’s arrest in 2012, and he was charged with a long list of crimes including sedition, breaking allegiance to the king and rioting.
The #AliMohammedAlNimr is absolutely tragic. I can’t believe that in 2015 you can still be killed for a dissenting belief. #FreeAli
— Mason Belles (@MasonJBelles) September 19, 2015 It’s awful and shocking that the public is not more outraged and informed about this brave man. #AliMohammedalNimr #RealTime #Freedom
— Truth on Arrival (@John_on_fire) September 19, 2015 On being found guilty of the long list of crimes against the regime, Nimr was sentenced to death and might be beheaded any time.
Rights activists have started an online campaign #AliMohammedAlNimr for supporting the blogger who was 17 at the time of the arrest, and hence cannot be given capital punishment as per UN Convention on the Rights of The Child (CRC), to which Saudi Arabia is a signatory.
Still awaiting call from @foreignoffice to tell me that they have done everything to get 21yr old #AliMohammedAlNimr a pardon by Saudi king
— Margaret Ferrier MP (@MargaretFerrier) September 22, 2015 Saudi Arabia chosen to head UN’s human’s rights panel & yet they’re about to behead 21yr activist #AliMohammedAlNimr pic.twitter.com/lUBHs5diSY
— LowOrbit Ion Cannoli (@MaLrw3) September 23, 2015 The story created a buzz on the social media recently after American comic Bill Maher, known for his controversial ideas about religion and Muslims, mentioned it in his argument over the Ahmed Mohammed case. Following this many protested the brutal death sentence given to the blogger and questioned the Saudi ambassador’s appointment as the chair of a panel on the UN Human Rights Council.
If you haven’t used up all your heroism on the clock kid, try hashtagging #AliMohammedAlNimr http://t.co/yVRNgkNdNz
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) September 19, 2015 Despite its awful record, Saudi Arabia is somehow named to UN rights council leadership post. http://t.co/QwICWlLr0p pic.twitter.com/zfZykab55o
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) September 21, 2015 The decision is also causing waves in Saudi for other reasons, apart from the online support generated by activists. The issue has divided general opinion on sectarian lines, something which is a cause for grave concern given the Shia-Sunni turmoil in the Middle East.
1. Saudi Arabia about to crucify young man arrested at 17 for protesting for democracy. Cdn govt response? #AliMohammedAlNimr #elxn42
— Derrick O’Keefe (@derrickokeefe) September 24, 2015 Say #AliMohammedAlNimr ‘s name, because in 2015 humanity should be better now than to allow a teenager to be crucified for protesting
— Guccifer Clinton (@subverzo) September 24, 2015 While ISIS and extremist elements in Bangladesh display brutality and religious intolerance by beheading and crucifying people, Saudi Arabia seems to have institutionalised the practice.
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