Activists have renewed calls for city leaders to condemn human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, following the execution of a man for crimes he was accused of committing when he was under 18
Saudi human rights campaigner Lina al Hathloul outside St. James' Park. Pictured with John Hird from NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing.
Saudi human rights campaigner Lina al Hathloul outside St. James' Park. Pictured with John Hird from NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing.
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Human rights campaigners have issued a fresh call for leaders on Tyneside to speak out, after Saudi Arabia’s execution of a man for crimes he was accused of committing when he was a minor. Politicians in Newcastle have been repeatedly urged to condemn alleged human rights abuses in the Gulf nation over recent years, since Newcastle United FC was taken over in 2021 by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The North East’s ties to the kingdom have grown since the PIF’s arrival, with Newcastle being promoted as the “gateway to Saudi” during a major UK trade mission and regional mayor Kim McGuinness later travelling with Sir Keir Starmer to Riyadh. It was reported last week that Saudi authorities had executed Jalal Abbad, an act described as “deplorable” by human rights organisation Amnesty International.
Labbad was arrested in 2017 in relation to his participation in protests in 2011 and 2012, when he was under 18, against the treatment of Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority and was later “severely tortured” and sentenced to death, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Newcastle City Council and the city’s MPs were urged this week by the NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS) group to condemn “the brutal and illegal execution of Jalal and demand that all further executions of child offenders be stopped forthwith”.
The call coincided with the visit of Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan to Tyneside for this week’s match against Liverpool. He is the governor of the PIF, whose chairman is the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was described as “a sitting minister of the Saudi government” in a document submitted to a US court in 2023.
A list demands presented to city council leader Karen Kilgour during a meeting with human rights activists earlier this year included a request for the local authority to raise human rights concerns with Mr Al-Rumayyan, as well as closely monitoring “any use of the city and region as a sportswashing vehicle”. NUFCFAS said: “The fact that not one councillor or MP took the opportunity of Al-Rumayyan’s visit to say publicly we oppose child executions, which are illegal under international law, was a missed opportunity.
“A letter has been written to all Newcastle city councillors pointing out that the council recently held a debate on Palestine. NUFCFAS think it is also appropriate to hold a similar debate on its links with the Saudi regime. Councillors should be given the opportunity to debate the eight suggestions put to Karen Kilgour by the Saudi human rights delegation, none of which have been implemented unfortunately.”
In response, Coun Kilgour said she shared anger at executions but that human rights issues were “for the UK Government to address at a national level” and that linking them to the football club was “unfair”. She said: “I met delegates from ALQST in February, and listened carefully to everything they had to say, but as a council we did not make any commitments and I was clear with the group around what our role was as a local authority.
“What I did do in that meeting, and in my public statements following the meeting, was reaffirm my condemnation of human rights abuses around the world, including any in Saudi Arabia, in the strongest possible terms. I share the anger at state executions, however, I want to reiterate again that I haven’t met and have no relationship with the Chairman of Newcastle United.
“As a council we work closely with the Chief Executive and their senior leadership team and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to lobby them on matters of international law. This is for the UK Government to address at a national level. It is unfair to hold those involved in the day-to-day management of the football club accountable for actions of international Governments.
“Our city’s football club is part of the fabric of the city. It plays a significant part in residents’ lives, is a key factor in our local economy, and helps to give Newcastle international recognition. A healthy and thriving Newcastle United means a healthy and thriving Newcastle.
“I have spoken to many Newcastle United supporters and I know they do not condone human rights abuses. They love their football club, as do I, and their relationship is with Newcastle United, and the team who represent our city on the pitch. They should not be held accountable for the actions of foreign states, nor should they be made to feel guilty for supporting the team they love. As I have made clear before, Newcastle is a wonderful city that I will fight for every day, because the people who call it home deserve only the very best.”
Newcastle United was contacted for a response.
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