The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) is concerned over the escalating human rights violations against minors in Saudi Arabia. As of 08/31/2014, a security force unit from the General Investigation Directorate in 3 vehicles and dressed in civilian clothes raided the house of the minor Abdul Rahman Walid Ali Al Mdevr’s family at 11 pm, and arrested him and searched the house.
The minor Abdul Rahman (16 years) was held in solitary confinement in the AlHa’ir political prison, which has a bad reputation, located in the capital Riyadh. According to law for minors, AlMdevr was supposed to be held (Juvenile Correctional Facility Center or Dar AlMulahadha) rather than the prison considering his age. He was detained for long periods in a harsh environment for more than four months, where he was completely isolated from the outside world except for two phone calls during the 4 months. He began his investigation after a month of detention, where he wasn’t allowed to have a lawyer assist (right for a lawyer). During the investigation period by the General Investigation Directorate’s detectives, Al Mdevr was charged with supporting Jihad and participate in Jihad online groups. Yet, until this moment of writing the report, AlMdevr has not been presented to the court or charged by the appropriate authority to investigate, in this case, it is the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.
The cruelty against the minor AlMdevr is escalating, considering that Saudi Arabia ratified the (Convention on the Rights of the Child or CRS[1]) in January 1996 and the (Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment[2]) in September 1997. Saudi Arabia is also an elected member of the Board of Human Rights in the period from 2014 to 2016. Here are some the violation of the(CRS):
· Article 16, number 1, “No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference”. Also, number 2 states ” The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”
· Article 37, paragraph “a” states “No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment”. Also, paragraph “b” states “No child is deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily.” Paragraph “d” also states “Every child deprived of his or her liberty shall have the right to prompt access to legal and other appropriate assistance, as well as the right to challenge the legality of the deprivation of his or her liberty before a court or other competent, independent and impartial authority, and to a prompt decision on any such action”
· Article 40 was also violated, to be presumed innocent until proven guilty; to be informed promptly and directly of the charges against him/her; legal or other appropriate assistance of his/her defense; to have the matter determined without delay by a competent; not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess guilt and other legal requirements.
These violations against the minor Almdevr, at the time where his father is still detained, increases the chances psychological trauma risk. This issue clearly violates the child local and international laws. He has been arrested for more than 6 months, contrary to the rights of the child’s law.
United Nations sees that (detention in solitary confinement for long periods of the detained or imprisoned person may consider to be a prohibited acts by article “7”), which stated in the (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights[3]). Specifically, ” No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
The ESOHR calls the Saudi government for:
· Immediate and unconditional release of the minor Almdevr.
· Commitment to international treaties and local laws, which calls to ensure the freedom and safety of individuals.
· Legal redress and take responsibility for the minor’s physical and psychological safety, and support him to get back to his normal life and returned to the school.
· Address the causes that led to his arrest, where it is the direct responsibility to do so.