Barbara Tang is a PhD candidate at American University in Qatar and researches and writes about media, politics, and culture. You can follow her on Twitter at @baingamagang.

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Topics: international-law, government-and-politics, canada, qatar

First posted: Apr 23, 2015 01:08PM | Permalink | TrackBack | Permalinks

May 08, 2015

Saudi Arabia: Iranian opposition leader’s death sparks calls for Saudis to ‘leave the US behind’ “Iranian opposition supporters” have vowed to “raise hell” in the kingdom against Saudi Arabia, “even if they are killed.”

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has called a public funeral for Abdul Rahman al-Qarni, who has been accused of spying for Israel after he was released over the summer, and Saudi officials have announced their solidarity with Israel. The Saudi government has condemned Qarni’s arrest and the allegations of spying, while the opposition has called for demonstrations. Human rights group Amnesty International called Qarni a “human rights prisoner” and called on Saudi Arabia to free him immediately. “We call for Saudi Arabia to follow international standards of due process,” it said in a statement. “In particular, we call for an immediate halt to the arbitrary detention of people, including Qarni, without charge or trial and to release him immediately.” Human Rights Watch has previously investigated allegations of Qarni’s detention under torture in Saudi Arabia in 2013. “Rights groups in Saudi Arabia want Saudi Arabia to follow international conventions on the rights of peaceful protesters and put a stop to the death penalty,” the group’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, Peter Bouckaert, said in a statement. “Saudi authorities should immediately release Qarni and allow a full investigation by the International Committee of the Red Cross.” Former deputy chief of staff to US President Bill Clinton told CNN that the Saudi kingdom has been “putting a stranglehold” on freedom of speech. “The Saudis have the right to be angry; they have had to put up with this for a long time,” said Bob Burkenbauer, a former White House and Pentagon aide to President Bill Clinton. “The fact that they’re not outraged when people tell them that Iran is doing this to them is a pretty good indicator that I think they should