Saudi Arabia: Amnesty International condemns the killing of civilians by armed group in Jeddah
Amnesty International unreservedly condemns the killings and hostage taking carried out by an armed group following its
attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah on 6 December 2004.
According to press reports at least five civilians were killed by the armed group. A number of other civilians were said
to have been injured after they were taken hostages and used as a human shield by members of the group against security
forces. The five who were killed were reportedly expatriate workers from Sudan, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Pakistan and
Yemen. Deliberate killing of civilians and killing of hostages are serious crimes under international law. Amnesty
International calls for the perpetrators of these crimes to be brought to justice in accordance with international
standards.
The cycle of political violence in Saudi Arabia has intensified since May 2003 with increased lethal attacks by armed
groups. The government pursuit of the so called "war on terror" with disturbing disregard for the rule of law and
international human rights standards have also resulted in multiple human rights violations. A number of bombings,
including suicide bombings, as well as individually targeted killings of mainly civilian westerners, have been carried
out by armed groups or individual gunmen. Government forces have been involved in house raids and street chases of
suspected armed groups and individuals, often with fatal consequences. Scores of civilians are reported to have been
killed since May 2003, but the exact number and circumstances surrounding the killings are not known to Amnesty
International due to government policy and practice of secrecy.
Amnesty International reiterates its call to armed groups in Saudi Arabia as well as the government to uphold
international law and standards which prohibit the targeting of civilians, hostage taking and extrajudicial killings.
View all documents on Saudi Arabia at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacWJGabck2ubb0hPub/