JMBF Strongly Condemns the Execution, Denounces the Reported Denial of Legal Representation and Consular Assistance, and Demands an International Investigation
JMBF expresses profound outrage over these executions, which raise serious concerns regarding the right to life, the proportionality of punishment, judicial transparency, and fundamental guarantees of due process and a fair trial.
According to media reports citing the Saudi Ministry of Interior, the two individuals were sentenced to death under ta'zir, a form of discretionary punishment under Islamic law. Saudi authorities reportedly justified the punishment by referring to the gravity of the alleged offence and the sanctity of the time and place. However, they have not publicly disclosed the precise allegations, supporting evidence, or sufficient details of the judicial proceedings.
JMBF firmly rejects capital punishment for alleged violations of religious, moral, or social norms. JMBF is particularly alarmed by information indicating that the two Bangladeshi nationals were denied legal representation and consular assistance during the proceedings leading to their executions. If confirmed, these circumstances would constitute grave violations of fundamental fair-trial safeguards and raise serious questions about the legitimacy of their convictions and sentences.
According to media reports, the Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah confirmed that it had received no advance notification of the executions and subsequently submitted a note verbale to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting formal acknowledgement of the matter.
The reported lack of consular assistance raises serious concerns under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which protects communication between detained foreign nationals and their consular representatives.
Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right to life, while Article 10 guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing. Furthermore, Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights restricts capital punishment to the “most serious crimes,” interpreted by the UN Human Rights Committee as crimes of extreme gravity involving intentional killing. Although Saudi Arabia is not a party to the Covenant, these standards remain important international human rights benchmarks.
JMBF believes that executing individuals for an unspecified moral offence, particularly amid allegations of inadequate legal representation and consular protection, is fundamentally incompatible with human dignity and internationally recognised principles of justice.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), stated:
“The execution of two Bangladeshi nationals for an unspecified alleged ‘immoral act’ is shocking, disproportionate, and morally indefensible. The reported denial of legal representation and consular assistance makes these executions even more disturbing.“No government should extinguish human life in the name of religious sanctity or vaguely defined moral standards. The sanctity of a mosque cannot override the sanctity of human life.“Bangladesh must strongly protest these executions and demand full accountability. The international community must not remain silent when fundamental human rights are threatened by irreversible state punishment.”
JMBF Demands Immediate Action:
JMBF urgently calls upon the Government of Saudi Arabia, the Government of Bangladesh, and relevant international human rights mechanisms to take the following actions:
- Initiate an independent international investigation into the arrests, prosecutions, convictions, and executions, particularly the reported denial of legal representation and consular assistance.
- Disclose the judicial records, including the precise charges, evidence, court decisions, appeal proceedings, and legal grounds for the death sentences.
- Investigate potential violations of fair-trial and consular rights, ensuring accountability and appropriate remedies wherever violations are established.
- Ensure immediate diplomatic intervention by Bangladesh, including lodging a formal protest, demanding a comprehensive explanation, and strengthening protection for Bangladeshi nationals facing criminal proceedings abroad.
- Provide information and assistance to the families, including official documentation, information concerning the remains of the deceased, and appropriate support.
- Secure urgent engagement by relevant UN human rights mechanisms, particularly the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
- Establish an immediate moratorium on executions in Saudi Arabia, commute existing death sentences, and pursue the complete abolition of capital punishment.
JMBF stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and demands truth, transparency, accountability, and justice.
In solidarity,
Advocate Mohammad Alamgir
Secretary General
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
CNB Premises
180 Boulevard Haussmann
75008 Paris, France
Email: info@jmbf.org
Website: www.jmbf.org
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JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan international human rights organization registered in France under the French Association Law of 1901 (Registration No. W931027714), committed to defending human rights, promoting social justice, and empowering marginalised communities in Bangladesh and beyond. JMBF is officially registered in the European Union Transparency Register (REG No. 0635235105176-78).
