Saudi death sentence appeal
Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste to condemn Saudi Arabia's death sentence on Abdullah al-Howaiti, a man who was reportedly tortured into confession as a child. The Tánaiste said he opposed the death penalty, would check the case with Foreign Affairs, and reiterated that Ireland calls on all countries to abolish executions.
Abdullah al-Howaiti was a 14-year-old boy when he was arrested and tortured until he confessed to a crime he could not have committed. In November 2021, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia overturned the decision to kill him. On 13 June 2022, only three days ago, the court of appeal upheld the death sentence. Will the Tánaiste call on this despotic regime, which he recently visited, to reverse this unbearable cruelty on this young man and repeal the death sentence? Doing so would demonstrate, at the very least, that the Government can be as tough on human rights with Saudi Arabia as it is with Russia.
Comment on this
I am not familiar with that individual case but I will certainly check it out with the Department of Foreign Affairs. I can unequivocally say to the Deputy that I am opposed to the death penalty. This Government is opposed to the death penalty and we call on any country that still has it on its statute books, including Saudi Arabia, to desist and not to execute any of their citizens under any circumstances.
Comment on this
I will send the Tánaiste the petition.