Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Canberra angered by the execution of cleric Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, who was critical of the kingdom's treatment of its Shiite minority.
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The cleric was executed by Saudi authorities last week along with another 46 people convicted of terrorism charges, drawing immediate condemnation from Iran and its allies in the Middle East.
Protest organiser Ali Abida said more than two hundred people took part in the protest with many travelling from Sydney and Melbourne by bus.
"The real concern for us is the abuse of human rights," he said.
"If someone is a minority in a country that does not mean they have to be oppressed or suffer. We are all human beings and have a right to live on this planet."
The protest was monitored by police officers who closed a number of streets in the area. The crowd was well-behaved.
The executions have triggered a diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with some analysts concerned by the prospect of proxy wars in the region.
Bahrain, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt have moved to support Saudi Arabia in recent days, while Syria's president Bashar Assad and Iraq's Shiite-led government have pledged support to Iran.
Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran after protesters attacked two diplomatic posts following the execution of Nimr.
The kingdom has also cancelled all flights between the two nations.
