Saudi Arabia: Death Sentence for Sri Lankan Migrant Over Facebook Comment
A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, has been handed a death sentence in Saudi Arabia due to a Facebook comment deemed blasphemous, according to Punch Nigeria. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding social media usage in the conservative nation.
Background: Blasphemy Laws in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia has strict laws against blasphemy, which can lead to severe punishments, including death penalty.
- The country's conservative culture and religion play a significant role in enforcing such laws.
- International human rights organizations have raised concerns about the application of these laws.
The Case of Anojan Sivarasa
Anojan Sivarasa, who is currently working as a laborer in Saudi Arabia, posted a comment on Facebook criticizing the Prophet Muhammad. The comment was reportedly made during a discussion about a local event in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.
"I am innocent. I only expressed my opinion about a local event in Riyadh on Facebook. I didn't mean any disrespect to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad," said Anojan Sivarasa.
International Outcry
The sentence has sparked an international outcry, with human rights organizations demanding the Saudi Arabian government reconsider the verdict.
"The sentence handed down to Anojan Sivarasa is a stark reminder of the dangers of expressing one's opinions online," said Amnesty International's Middle East director, Salil Shetty.
Family's Appeal
Sivarasa's family has appealed the verdict, claiming that their son was deceived into admitting the crime by his Saudi Arabian landlord.
"Anojan Sivarasa was tricked into admitting to a crime he did not commit by his landlord, who is also a suspect in the case," said Sivarasa's father, Sivarasa Samarasinghe.
International Pressure
International pressure has been mounting on the Saudi Arabian government to revoke the death penalty.
</body> </html>"The international community must stand up for human rights and urge Saudi Arabia to repeal its barbaric practice of executing individuals for expressing their opinions," stated Amnesty International.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>