“
Our calls for justice have gone unheeded.
Maybe if you say his name, those who decide his fate will listen.
Will you raise your voice to save Abdullah?
Whether it's in private conversations with authorities or in public while you're here in Saudi Arabia running, we believe it can make a difference.
It was through a letter sent to Lewis Hamilton, echoed by the daily newspaper The Guardian, that the family of Abdullah al-Howaiti wanted to alert the seven-time world champion to the fate of this young man, now 19, arrested at the age of 14 for a robbery in a jewelry store that led to the death of a police officer and sentenced to death three years later, in 2019. An execution which was suspended by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, before being decided again.
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His family has always claimed his innocence, video evidence and written testimonies in support, without ever being heard.
But beyond the legitimate doubt concerning his guilt, Abdullah al-Howaiti remains the symbol of a country which multiplies executions, as was the case two weeks ago with a day marked by 81 executions.
"
In a report released in January, a UN panel of experts classified some of Saudi Arabia's violations of international law as potentially crimes against humanity, as the state continues to execute minors
,” says The Guardian.
The NGO Reprieve, which defends human rights, took the opportunity to challenge the bosses of motorsport.
"
By racing in Saudi Arabia, Formula 1 is effectively saying it is okay to execute people for taking part in pro-democracy protests
,” she said, urging the FIA to ban any race in this country.
Criticisms which also concerned Bahrain last weekend.
Russian case law now
Reprieve also draws on recent case law from the Russia-Ukraine conflict to support its point: "
F1 has shown it is capable of taking decisive action to protect human rights when it has dropped out of the Russian GP within hours.
Her failure to respond to the Saudi executions crisis is a shameful double standard.
For his part, Lewis Hamilton has so far not reacted.
But the Briton had already, last season, expressed his questions at the time of the test in Djebbah: “
Do I feel good here?
I wouldn't say that.
It's not my choice to race here, the sport made that choice.
There must be changes here.
That's why we have to educate people about it when we're here.
At the time, he was mostly referring to the condition of LBGT people in Saudi Arabia.
It would not be surprising if he went further this weekend, he who never hesitates to engage politically to defend causes that are close to his heart.