European Saudi Organization for Human Rights and Reprieve have emphasized that Saudi Arabia is violating its international obligations, particularly the Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In a joint statement, the two organizations affirmed before the Human Rights Council, during the discussions on the fifth item of the 48th session, which started on September 13 and ends on October 8, that Saudi Arabia does not cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms as is clearly shown in the application of the death penalty.
The speech given by Duaa Dhainy, member of the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, on September 30, 2021, explained that despite Saudi Arabia's repeated promises to halt the execution of minors and comply with its obligations, it carried out a sentence against the minor Mustafa Al-Darwish in June 2021, days after receiving a letter from the United Nations confirming the violations involved in the case.
The two organizations mentioned that Saudi Arabia still threatens the lives of other minors, including Abdullah al-Huwaiti. The Saudi Government had received a letter from the Special Rapporteurs confirming that al-Huwaiti was facing execution on charges that took place when he was a minor and that he had been tortured in order to extract confessions. The intervention indicated that the Court of Appeal had nevertheless ratified his sentence.
In addition, the two organizations noted that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has repeatedly issued opinions confirming that Saudi Arabia broadly practices arbitrary detention, including cases that eventually led to death sentences.
The statement concluded by stressing that Saudi Arabia's claims that it is cooperating with the UN and its mechanisms are unrealistic, as it is blatantly ignoring recommendations and opinions.