A global coalition of human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, along with regional and national groups from around the world, has expressed serious concerns over the imminent executions of a number of young men in Saudi Arabia. These men were reportedly convicted for crimes committed in their juvenility.
The advocacy groups argue that Saudi Arabia’s decision contradicts the country’s proposed reforms and international standards. In an open letter, they elaborate that Saudi Arabia’s newly sanctioned death sentences against minors expose a stark reality. They affirm:
The approval of new death sentences against minors exposes the reality of Saudi Arabia’s successive promises regarding the death penalty in general and the death penalty against minors in particular. It is impossible to envisage reforms or changes without immediately halting arbitrary death sentences, especially against minors on charges that are not considered the most serious, and after unfair trials.
These advocacy groups express particular concern for seven young men, largely members of the country’s Shi’a minority, which constitutes an estimated 10-15 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population. The men have all been sentenced to death for alleged crimes committed between the ages of 14 and 17.
The Saudi government has drawn significant criticism for its frequent use of the death penalty, including for non-violent crimes. Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa, noted in a recent statement that Saudi Arabia executed an average of 4 people per week in August of last year, including one man executed for drug smuggling.
Despite its initiatives to improve its international reputation, Saudi Arabia’s claims to end the death penalty for juveniles and non-violent crimes have been refuted by recent events, and the kingdom has failed to deliver on these pledges.
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