“The Unseen Shadows: Saudi Arabia’s Secret Supreme Court Decision Puts Two Young Lives at Stake”

Saudi Arabia’s Secret Supreme Court Decision Raises Serious Concerns

Background

In a troubling display of disregard for human rights, Amnesty International has obtained credible information that Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court silently upheld the death sentences of two young men who were under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes. Abdullah al-Derazi and Jalal Labbad were convicted of terrorism-related charges stemming from their participation in anti-government protests. Their trials were marred by grossly unfair proceedings that heavily relied on confessions tainted by torture.

The Saudi authorities had previously promised to end the use of the death penalty in cases involving individuals who were underage when their alleged crimes were committed. Unfortunately, they have reneged on this commitment, sentencing these two young men to death. Should the King ratify their death sentences, which is currently their final legal recourse, Abdullah and Jalal could be executed at any moment.

A Tragedy of Justice

Amnesty International’s Middle East Researcher, Dana Ahmed, has rightfully called attention to this travesty of justice. Not only were the families and lawyers of the convicts not informed about the Supreme Court’s decision, but the court also failed to investigate the defendants’ claims of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Court documents reviewed by Amnesty International detail allegations of severe beatings, sexual violence, and electrocution inflicted upon Abdullah and Jalal.

Such violations go against the principles of fair trials and expose the Saudi legal system’s glaring shortcomings in safeguarding human rights. Additionally, the use of coerced confessions as evidence is deeply troubling, as it undermines the integrity of the judicial process and raises doubts about the credibility of the convictions.

International Concerns

The global community has expressed growing concern over the imminent execution of Abdullah al-Derazi and Jalal Labbad. A UN expert has urged the Saudi authorities to consider implementing a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and conducting a systematic review of all death penalty cases involving child defendants. The Saudi Human Rights Commission had previously assured Amnesty International in a May 2023 letter that the death penalty would not be applied to juveniles in ta’zir crimes, which are offenses that do not mandate the death penalty under Islamic law.

Saudi Arabia’s stature as one of the world’s leading executioners is further exacerbated by this distressing situation. In the first ten months of 2023 alone, the Saudi authorities executed 112 people, maintaining a distressing pattern of disregard for human life. In fact, in 2022, the kingdom executed 196 individuals, marking the highest number of annual executions recorded by Amnesty International in Saudi Arabia over the past three decades.

A Call for Action

Amnesty International unequivocally opposes the death penalty in all cases, regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime or the characteristics of the individual. The organization now calls upon King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to refrain from ratifying the death sentences of Abdullah al-Derazi and Jalal Labbad. Additionally, the competent authorities must quash their death sentences to rectify this grave injustice.

Moreover, it is imperative that the Saudi authorities launch a thorough investigation into the defendants’ claims of torture and ill-treatment. Failing to address these allegations would only serve to perpetuate a culture of impunity and undermine the credibility of the Saudi justice system.

Renewing Commitments to Human Rights

Saudi Arabia’s handling of this case not only violates international human rights standards but also conflicts with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This treaty, which Saudi Arabia has ratified, explicitly prohibits the use of the death penalty against individuals who were under 18 at the time of their alleged crimes.

It falls upon the international community to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for these brazen violations of human rights. Diplomatic pressure, dialogues, and public condemnation should be employed to urge the Saudi government to reevaluate its stance on the death penalty and to uphold its own promises to protect the rights of young individuals within its jurisdiction.

Conclusion

Abdullah al-Derazi and Jalal Labbad face imminent execution, their lives hanging by a thread as they await the King’s decision on their fate. The Supreme Court’s secret decision to uphold their death sentences reveals a deeply flawed system that prioritizes punishment over justice. This case serves as a stark reminder that the fight for human rights is far from over and underscores the urgent need for legal reforms in Saudi Arabia.

The international community must seize this opportunity to condemn Saudi Arabia’s flagrant disregard for human rights and press for the implementation of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. Every life lost to capital punishment is a tragedy, but the potential execution of these two young men serves as a particularly poignant reminder of the urgent need for change. Safeguarding the rights of all individuals, regardless of their age or alleged crimes, should be a fundamental pillar of any just society.

Decisions-saudiarabia,supremecourt,secretdecision,unseenshadows,younglivesatstake