UN human rights experts have issued a strong demand to Saudi Arabia to immediately cease executing individuals for crimes committed while they were minors, following the execution of Jalal al-Labbad. Labbad, who was arrested at 21 without a warrant, faced capital punishment for participating in protests in his teenage years against the state’s treatment of Shi’a citizens. Detailed information from JURIST reveals that his arrest and subsequent treatment raised severe human rights concerns.
The experts highlighted Labbad’s lack of access to legal counsel and the distressing conditions of his detention, including solitary confinement and torture. His execution on August 21 has drawn significant international condemnation, especially given that his family learned of his death through social media and was not informed about the execution date. The call includes demands for Saudi authorities to return Labbad’s body to his family and allow an independent medico-legal examination in compliance with international standards.
Saudi Arabia, as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is obligated to refrain from executing offenders who were minors at the time of their crimes. Yet, the kingdom’s adherence to these international obligations remains in question, as the Convention against Torture prohibits executions resulting from unfair trials or coerced confessions. Jalal al-Labbad’s health deteriorated in custody, with reports detailing his hospitalization due to the effects of physical abuse and torture.
The human rights landscape in Saudi Arabia has been under scrutiny from multiple organizations in 2023. According to Human Rights Watch, the kingdom’s increased application of the death penalty has been criticized as a tool to suppress dissent. Amnesty International has also raised alarms about the surge in executions for drug-related offenses this year.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s ongoing social reforms, these human rights concerns persist. The international community continues to urge Riyadh to align its domestic practices with its international commitments, particularly concerning the rights of minors and fair legal processes. As scrutiny intensifies, the call for reform remains a critical point of international dialogue.