On January 28, 2022, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention published its opinion on the case of Abdullah Al-Hwaiti, stressing that his deprivation of liberty is arbitrary, and called for an investigation into the violations he was subjected to.
Al-Huwaiti is a minor who was arrested in 2017, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sentenced him to death, before the Supreme Court overturned the ruling, so that the Public Prosecution in Tabuk adhered to the request for execution despite the retrial.
The working group discussed information sent by a source to it, and the Saudi government's response to it, about the violations that Al-Huwaiti was subjected to since the moment of arrest. These include detention without an arrest warrant, torture, being forced to sign confessions, denial of legal representation, and other abuses.
The working group concluded that the violations of Al-Huwaiti's right to a fair trial and due process of law are of such seriousness that they are arbitrary deprivation.
The Working Group confirmed that the deprivation of Abdullah Al-Hwaiti of his freedom is in violation of Articles 3, 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is an arbitrary arrest. The Working Group requested the Saudi government to take the necessary steps to rectify his situation by releasing him immediately. It also urged an investigation into the circumstances of the arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and to take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violations he was subjected to.
The Working Group expressed deep concern that the death penalty was originally issued and that the courts ignored Al-Hwaiti's age, especially since the death sentence against him violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and therefore he must be dealt with on this basis regardless of the charges or guilt he faces.
The Working Group noted that over its 30 years of operation, Saudi Arabia has violated its international obligations in more than 65 cases, which raises serious concern about the widespread and systematic problem of Saudi arbitrary detention, which amounts to a serious violation of international law.
The Working Group indicated that, in light of Saudi statements about cooperation with United Nations mechanisms, it will return the request for a visit to it that it had submitted in August 2021 with the aim of providing assistance and addressing serious concerns regarding cases of arbitrary deprivation of liberty.