Saudi Arabia’s Broken Promise: Imminent Execution of Juveniles Highlights Violation of Death Penalty Abolition

Saudi Arabia’s Record-Breaking Use of the Death Penalty on Children

Introduction

Amnesty International has recently raised concerns about the imminent execution of seven young men in Saudi Arabia who were all children at the time of their arrest. Despite the Saudi authorities’ commitment to end the use of the death penalty against children under 18, these executions would mark a chilling escalation of the country’s already record-breaking use of the death penalty. There has been a seven-fold increase in executions in the past three years alone. The international community, human rights organizations, and legal experts have criticized the use of the death penalty, especially against children, and called for an immediate halt to these executions.

Violation of International Law

Executing individuals who were under 18 at the time of the crime, or for crimes not involving intentional killing, is a violation of international law. These executions are in direct contradiction to the legal reforms introduced by Saudi Arabia, which aimed to limit the use of the death penalty and prohibit its application to individuals who were children at the time of the offense. International human rights standards, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, explicitly prohibit the use of the death penalty on children.

Broken Promises and Unfair Trials

The Saudi authorities’ promises to limit the use of the death penalty and implement legal reforms have been disregarded in these cases. The seven young men were denied legal representation throughout their pre-trial detention, and their trials were marred by torture-tainted confessions. This denial of legal rights and the use of coerced confessions undermine the fairness of their trials and raise serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial process.

Discrimination and Disproportionate Punishments

Six of the seven young men facing execution are from the Shi’a minority, who routinely face discrimination and grossly unfair trials in Saudi Arabia. These individuals were convicted of terrorism-related charges, including participating in protests or attending funerals of those killed by security forces. The charges brought against them are often vague and broad, allowing for disproportionately harsh punishments. This further highlights the systemic problems in the Saudi justice system and the need for urgent reforms.

Saudi Arabia’s Disturbing Execution Numbers

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s top executioners, with a significantly high number of executions carried out each year. In 2022, the country executed 196 people, the highest number recorded by Amnesty International in the last 30 years. This number is three times higher than the executions in 2021 and at least seven times higher than those in 2020. The recent increase in executions reveals a concerning trend and calls into question Saudi Arabia’s commitment to human rights and due process.

Call for Action

International organizations, including Amnesty International, are calling for a moratorium on executions and an immediate halt to the execution of the seven young men who were children at the time of their arrest. The Saudi authorities need to uphold their promises and establish an unequivocal commitment to respect international human rights standards. It is crucial for independent investigations to be conducted into allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and for those responsible to be held accountable. It is also essential that legal representation and fair trials are provided to all individuals, including children, to ensure that justice is served and human rights are protected.

Conclusion

The imminent executions of these young men in Saudi Arabia are a grave violation of international law and a troubling escalation of the country’s use of the death penalty. It is incumbent upon the Saudi authorities to immediately halt these executions, provide fair and transparent trials, and uphold their commitments to human rights. The international community must continue to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to respect fundamental human rights principles and end the use of the death penalty, particularly against children.