Saudi Arabia – Execution of two convicted persons (January 30, 2013)
France condemns the beheading on January 30 in Saudi Arabia of Marwan al-Balawi and Hussein al-Yami. Today, once again, France expresses its grave concern at the rate of executions in Saudi Arabia. With 9 executions since the beginning of 2013, Saudi Arabia is one of the states with the highest death penalty rates in the world. These executions contradict the global trend toward the abolition of this inhuman punishment, the deterrent value of which has never been established.
France is campaigning for the universal abolition of the death penalty and intends to be at the forefront of this struggle. As Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed, France expresses its firm and constant opposition to the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances. Once again, it urges Saudi Arabia to put an end to the executions and to establish a moratorium.