On Saturday, officials in Saudi Arabia executed 47 individuals who had been convicted of serious terror offences under that nation’s laws.
These executions are just the first in a series that will be carried out against individuals who have been investigated, accused, charged, tried and sentenced according to the laws of the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has the right and responsibility to take every step necessary to secure the peace, security and stability of its government, institutions and people against those who plot, act, conduct violence and instigate insurrection, discord and civil unrest.
Terrorism takes many forms, uses many faces, embraces many peoples and those who advocate terrorist philosophies will use any means to further their narrow political, religious or philosophical outlooks. Countering these forces of evil requires determination and tough measures. These 47 — as with the remainder who face the ultimate sanction of justice — have all had their day in court. Their cases were reviewed by appeals courts, and judicial due process was carried out under the procedures and laws of the kingdom. And that’s more that can be said for all those who have been victimised and terrorised by the guilty. The Saudi government, its officials and its security forces, must not be deterred nor distracted by external voices or international criticism. The fight against terror is too important. And the victims deserve nothing less.
