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First Third Of 2024 In Saudi Arabia: Executions Rise By 189% And Portend Another Bloody Year. At Least 71 Currently Facing Execution.

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Since the beginning of 2024 until the end of April, the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 55 individuals. This figure constitutes a 189% increase compared to the executions in the first third of 2023, which witnessed 19 executions. The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights views these numbers as a clear indication of the Saudi government's continued approach towards executing and issuing death sentences, and that the promises made in recent years have become elusive.

Nigeria pleads for death row nationals as Indonesia's top diplomat visits

The Federal Government on Monday pleaded with the government of Indonesia to commute the death penalty passed on Nigerians in the country's prison, to life imprisonment.

Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, made the plea in a joint communiqué issued at the end of bilateral meeting between the minister and Retno Marsudi, his counterpart from Indonesia.

He said, "On consular issues, Nigeria recognises the drugs emergency situation in Indonesia and pleaded for commuting death penalty to life imprisonment."

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there are about 50 Nigerians serving various jail terms for different offences in Indonesia with about 11 of them on death row.

Human Rights organisation, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), had called on the federal government to boost its efforts in fighting for Nigerians on death row in foreign countries.

The organisation stated that no fewer than 300 Nigerians were currently on death row in prisons across Asian countries since 2016.

LEPAD said 120 Nigerians faced the prospects of death in Chinese prisons, and over 170 in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and 5 in Qatar, United Arab Emirate and Saudi Arabia.

The organisation estimated that about 16,500 Nigerians were being held abroad, while most of those on death row were convicted of drug-related crimes.

Mr. Onyeama said the 2 countries agreed to deepen contacts between their respective national Chambers of Commerce and private sector operators with a view to further enhance bilateral trade and investments.

He added that they also agreed on the importance of enhancing the existing cooperation between the 2 countries.

He said the 2 countries agreed to simplify bilateral trade through the establishment of a Bonded Logistic Centre in one of Nigeria's ports that could be used for Indonesian products.

Mrs. Marsudi had earlier announced her government's growing interest in promoting mutually beneficial economic relations with Nigeria.

The visiting minister expressed concern that there had been decline in bilateral trade between both countries in the last 5 years.

She said her government was prepared to enhance its economic relations with African countries, especially with Nigeria, in the years ahead.

She said that Nigeria and Indonesia have the resources and energies to enhance their areas of cooperation.

Source: Premium Times, June 6, 2017

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