[quote]Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of new laws which define atheists as terrorists, according to a report from Human Rights Watch.
In a string of royal decrees and an overarching new piece of legislation to deal with terrorism generally, the Saudi King Abdullah has clamped down on all forms of political dissent and protests that could "harm public order".
The new laws have largely been brought in to combat the growing number of Saudis travelling to take part in the civil war in Syria, who have previously returned with newfound training and ideas about overthrowing the monarchy.
To that end, King Abdullah issued Royal Decree 44, which criminalises "participating in hostilities outside the kingdom" with prison sentences of between three and 20 years, Human Rights Watch said.
Yet last month further regulations were issued by the Saudi interior ministry, identifying a broad list of groups which the government considers to be terrorist organisations - including the Muslim Brotherhood.
Article one of the new provisions defines terrorism as "calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion on which this country is based".
Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director of Human Rights Watch, said: "Saudi authorities have never tolerated criticism of their policies, but these recent laws and regulations turn almost any critical expression or independent association into crimes of terrorism.
"These regulations dash any hope that King Abdullah intends to open a space for peaceful dissent or independent groups," Mr Stork said.
Human Rights Watch said the new regulations were also a setback to campaigns for the protection and release of a number of prominent human rights activists currently jailed in Saudi Arabia. It said Waleed Abu al-Khair and Mikhlif al-Shammari recently lost appeals and will soon begin three-month and five-year respective sentences for criticizing Saudi authorities.
The organisation said the new "terrorism" provisions contain language that prosecutors and judges are already using to prosecute and convict independent activists and peaceful dissidents.[/quote]
*tips bomb*
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Edited by Turtlenomad: 4/22/2014 2:57:33 AMDecree = Order 44 + 22 = 66 [spoiler]Half-Life 3 confirmed[/spoiler]
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Why would an atheist live in Saudi Arabia?
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You believe in nothing? Die terrorist scum!
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Welp, I'm screwed if I go there. Which I won't, cuz screw 3rd world rabble.
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Shenanigans ensue.
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Good for them! No I'm kidding. Isn't religion a real big deal there though?
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Quite ironic
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My girlfriend is black, atheist, and a woman.... Saudi Arabia wouldn't know which way, or for what reason, to kill her first.
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Uh... Huh.
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Watch as our government doesn't even send an angry letter.
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Seems legit
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Hey Saudi Arabia catch up to last century please.
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Yeah they do stuff like that all the time. Generally no real intent to do anything about it unless the atheist, actual or ascribed, in question is anti-government.
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And meanwhile, the US will say nothing about it because Saudi Arabia is a "strategic ally"
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DARWINHU EVOLBAR!
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Guess where I'm not going anytime soon.
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*grabs popcorn* *grabs lawn chair* *waits* "Dis gon b gud"
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So does this mean no more people can take vacations to Abu Dubai? Pretty sure that entire city (and the new Kingdom City being built as we speak) was for tourist attractions. They are gunna arrest everyone that doesn't believe in what they believe? Or is this new law only for people that live in Saudi Arabia?
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Americans have already unofficially announced that all Muslims are terrorists, so... yeah. Don't know why the Arabians are getting back at our edgy teenage population, though.
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Or maybe OP [i]is[/i] the terrorist.
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How did they find out? Quick my atheist brothers and sisters, grab your fedoras and go to the secret atheist base to plot our next secret atheist terrorist plot. Also, our plans to outlaw all religions in the world will also need to be worked on.
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Thousands of fedoras were burned in the streets .
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Freedom time. Oh no you can't no oil.
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[b]AT LAST I SEE.[/b]
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Should anyone be taking anything over there they call "politics" seriously?
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April Fools. [spoiler]I hope.[/spoiler]