Use all diplomatic means to intervene and stop the execution of Sheikh Al-Nimr

Sheikh Al-Nimr’s life is in real danger. Several indicators suggest that Sheikh Al-Nimr’s case has reached a critical point. It is time to take urgent action.

Sheikh Al-Nimr advocated peaceful and non-violent reform in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. He spoke out against the state supported discriminatory policies and was critical of the Saudi’s unjust and widespread treatment of prisoners of conscience, which involved arbitrary detention, arbitrary Imprisonment (sometimes for years), and a lack of due process. He was active encouraging peaceful protests as a means for reform, with his famous words ‘We will use the roar of the word’. In a country which has a very poor human rights record and is known for silencing dissent, Sheikh Al-Nimr’s was arbitrarily detained for his peaceful speech.

Since Saudi security authorities arrested Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr in 2012 , he has been subsequently sentenced to death, via execution, as a result of his human rights activities. During his detention of over 1030 days, he was tortured and deprived of access to medical treatment, despite being shot in his thigh by Saudi security forces during his violent arrest. A Saudi Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced the prominent cleric Al-Nimr to death for “sedition” on 15th October 2015. Several human rights organisation such as Amnesty International confirm that he was merely excercising in freedom of expression and was not given fair due process during his trial.

Many activists around the world recently took part in a global day of demonstration and demanded the release of Al-Nimr on the 24th of March. Recently, there has been disturbing indicators with regards to Al-Nimr’s case, and many of these unconfirmed indicators suggest that Al-Nimr’s execution is likely to go ahead.

Therefore, as the UK a Prime minister, a statesman and a humanitarian, we appeal and urge you to take action to prevent Saudi government from executing Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr. Sheikh Al-Nimr has become a global figure who has support from across the globe. The world is watching, you are urged, on the basis of ethical principles, to act with responsibility and to intervene and apply diplomatic pressure on the Saudi authorities to save Al-Nimr’s life.