SAUDI ARABIA AMENDS DEATH SENTENCE LAW

January 12, 2010: Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council passed legislation amending the Criminal Procedure Law so that death sentences can only be issued if approved unanimously by all judges in the case.
Currently, the law says that a majority vote from the judges is adequate to pass the death sentence.
The amendment also states that lower court verdicts awarding the death penalty or sentences dealing with the severing of hands or similar punishments will not be carried out without a verdict from the Supreme Court.
The Court decision shall be with a unanimous decision.
An overwhelming majority of 92 members voted in favour of the new amendment, while a few members opposed it. (Sources: Kipreport.com, Gulf News, 12/01/2010)