IS not alone in barbarity

Terrorism expert Loretta Napoleoni describes the beheading of Western hostages as ''barbarous'' but points out decapitation is not confined to Islamic State (IS).

Saudi Arabia, which has joined with the United States in fighting IS, uses decapitation as a punishment for major crimes, she said, ''and it happens in a public square in the middle of Riyadh''.

''It's barbarous, isn't it?''

Ms Napoleoni said it could be said people in Saudi Arabia were tried in court, properly.

''But there is doubt about that.''

She described public beheading as ''absolutely despicable''.

''But at the same time our allies are doing the same thing.

''They are actually beheading people in public squares.''

Ms Napoleoni pointed out women lacked freedom in Saudi Arabia, just as they did in Islamic State.

They were, for example, not allowed to drive and could not leave home without being accompanied.

''This is what I am trying to say.

''Why are we horrified at this kind of treatment by the Islamic State and we are not horrified at the same treatment by Saudi Arabia?''

We should be horrified by both.''

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