VOA标准英语2014--Death Sentence for Saudi Cleric Sparks Protests

 

Death Sentence for Saudi Cleric Sparks Protests

LONDON— 

There has been an international outcry in recent days after a judge in Saudi Arabia handed down a death sentence to a prominent Shi’ite cleric, prompting protests among the minority Shi’ite population in the country. Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was convicted of "disobeying the ruler" and "inciting¹ sectarian strike." Analysts² fear the sentence could exacerbate³ the already high sectarian tensions in the country.

Shi’ites living in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province have long complained that they are marginalized under the Sunni monarchy⁴. The death sentence handed to Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr will ratchet up tensions further, according to Jane Kinninmont of the Middle East program at policy group Chatham House.

“Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr is a very politically outspoken⁵ Shia cleric. He may not represent the mainstream⁶ Shia community in Saudi Arabia, but he’s very popular with the youth, both in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and in Bahrain,” said Kinninmont.

Accusations⁷ leveled

Following the death of a Shi’ite protester in clashes with police two years ago, Sheikh Nimr posted a video on the Internet, accusing Saudi authorities of targeting Shi’ites.

“Why do you attack us, a few dozen poor souls?” he asks in the video. “If a 'foreign country' is responsible, then attack the source of the problem. If it's Iran you mean then attack it, and let's see what you're capable of.”

The trial leading to his death sentence was unfair, said May Romanos of Amnesty International.

 “Sheikh al-Nimr wasn’t allowed to have his lawyer in some of the hearing because the lawyer was simply not notified about the hearing taking place. Some of the charges also brought against him were based on eyewitnesses⁸ who weren’t called for court, so it was only on testimonies,” said Romanos.

Shi’ites form the majority in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. They have long complained of discrimination by the ruling Sunni monarchy.

"When uprisings swept the Arab world in the spring of 2011, there were demonstrations⁹ in Shi’ite towns and villages. Saudi authorities cracked down hard, arresting hundreds of protesters," said Romanos

“Some of the activists¹⁰ who took part in these protests were even sentenced to death. We have recorded in May and June this year, at least five Shia activists being sentenced to death for their activism,” she said.

Sunni majority

Kinninmont said the Shi’ite-led protests have not gained momentum¹¹ because they are not supported by the Sunni majority.

“What would really change the game would be if people could overcome that sectarian divide and make some kind of united front, calling for reforms, calling for a constitutional monarchy, more rights and so forth¹². But that has not been seen, even in recent years since 2011,” said Kinninmont.

Sheikh Nimr is a critic of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite the fact that Assad is backed by Iran. Saudi authorities could have exploited Sheikh Nimr’s perceived independence,said Kinninmont.

“It’s been very rare to see religious figures who have criticized both the governments of Bahrain and the government of Syria for using authoritarian¹³ and aggressive tactics. So this is someone who can claim to be unusually consistent and actually speaking up for human rights, not just Shia rights,” said Kinninmont.

Kinninmont said if Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr is executed, it likely would trigger even larger protests. It is possible his death sentence will be commuted¹⁴ on appeal -- or the King may issue a Royal pardon.

1 inciting   

刺激的，煽动的

参考例句：

• What are you up to inciting mutiny and insubordination? 你们干吗在这里煽动骚动的叛乱呀。
• He was charged with inciting people to rebel. 他被控煽动民众起来叛乱。

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 exacerbate   

v.恶化，增剧，激怒，使加剧

参考例句：

• WMO says a warming climate can exacerbate air pollution.世界气象组织说，气候变暖可能会加剧空气污染。
• In fact efforts will merely exacerbate the current problem.实际上努力只会加剧当前的问题。

4 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

5 outspoken   

adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的

参考例句：

• He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。
• She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。

6 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

7 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

8 eyewitnesses   

目击者( eyewitness的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The examination of all the eyewitnesses took a week. 对所有证人的质询用了一周的时间。
• Several eyewitnesses testified that they saw the officers hit Miller in the face. 几位目击证人证明他们看见那几个警官打了米勒的脸。

9 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

10 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

12 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

13 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

14 commuted   

通勤( commute的过去式和过去分词 )； 减（刑）； 代偿

参考例句：

• His sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment. 他的判决由死刑减为无期徒刑。
• The death sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment. 死刑可能減为无期徒刑。