A letter sent by the UN Special Rapporteurs to Saudi Arabia highlighted the shortcomings in the government’s responses to questions and concerns, particularly regarding execution cases. It also revealed the deceptive tactics used in responses to avoid providing clear and accurate answers.
The letter referred to the cases of Abdullah Al-Darazi, Youssef Al-Munasif, and Jalal Al-Labbad, who are facing imminent execution for charges related to acts committed when they were minors, based on confessions extracted under torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It also pointed to reports of secret executions, as well as the practice of withholding the bodies of executed individuals.
The letter was signed by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions; the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
The Special Rapporteurs explained that the cases involving minors had been raised in previous communications with Saudi Arabia, and that the latter had responded. However, they expressed concerns that were inadequately addressed, along with ongoing severe violations. They emphasized that the official response did not provide comprehensive details on the general legal rulings nor sufficient information regarding the individual cases mentioned.
Evidence::
The letter noted that Saudi Arabia’s response in August 2023 stated that "the concerned individuals were arrested after evidence was found proving they committed terrorist crimes," yet no details of this evidence were provided. Similarly, while the response claimed that "the Public Prosecution decided that there was sufficient evidence to charge the individuals concerned," it did not provide details about this evidence.
Legal Representation:
The Special Rapporteurs noted that Saudi Arabia responded to the question about visits and legal representation by referencing their number, but did not provide information on whether these visits occurred during the early stages of detention as requested. Additionally, no detailed information was provided regarding access to legal representation in the initial phases of detention. The Special Rapporteurs also noted that no information was given about the application of legal standards in cases of solitary confinement.
Torture:
Saudi Arabia’s previous response indicated that allegations of torture were presented before the court, which took steps to verify them. However, according to the Special Rapporteurs, no specific details were provided about the exact measures the court took to investigate or whether the investigation adhered to relevant international standards.
Evidence::
Regarding evidence, Saudi Arabia's response stated that the ruling was based on "confessions presented to the judges, arrest and search records, technical reports, interrogations, and statements made during the proceedings," and that "judges do not rely solely on confessions as evidence." Nonetheless, no additional details were provided about the content of the evidence apart from the confessions.
Terrorism-Related Charges:
Saudi Arabia's response mentioned that "Saudi Arabia has witnessed terrorist crimes that resulted in the deaths of innocent men, women, and children." The Special Rapporteurs stressed that the specific charges do not include intentional killing, which means they should not be considered "the most serious crimes" that could justify the death penalty under international law, and they also pointed out the absence of dates for the charges.
The Special Rapporteurs’ letter detailed the information provided to them regarding the cases of the three minors:
Abdullah Aldurazi:
He was arrested on August 27, 2014, when he was 18 years old. Reportedly, he was beaten after his arrest. Initially, he was held at Tarout Police Station, then transferred to Qatif Prison, and after five to six months, he was moved to the General Investigations Prison in Dammam. He was held incommunicado for three months and in solitary confinement for six months. He was subjected to physical and psychological torture, which resulted in his hospitalization. He was forced to sign a false confession, and during his trial before the Specialized Criminal Court, he described how he was tortured and forced to sign the confession.
Multiple requests were made to the court to accept medical records as evidence proving his hospitalization due to torture, but these requests were not accepted by the court. He was sentenced to death in 2018.
Two of the seven undated charges against him relate to activities allegedly carried out with another person. This person had passed away when Al-Darazi was 17 years old. Another charge concerns an event that occurred a year before his arrest, when he was 17. Only one charge pertains to a protest that took place when Al-Darazi was 18. He was not accused of causing any deaths or injuries to others. His sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2023, but his family was not officially notified of the Supreme Court's decision.
Youssef Al-Manasef
He was arrested on March 9, 2017, when he was 20 years old. After his arrest, he was held at a police station for a week, during which he was reportedly mistreated. After a week, he was able to contact his family but could not disclose his location. He was held in solitary confinement for five months without access to a lawyer. During this period, he was tortured to force him to sign a confession and was hospitalized as a result. Despite repeated requests, his family was not granted access to his medical reports.
During hearings in 2019, Al-Munasif stated that he was forced to sign a confession and requested a copy of the record showing the period he was held in solitary confinement.
The charges against Al-Munasif were undated, but some relate to attending funerals between 2010 and 2012 when he was 15 to 17 years old. The prosecution did not provide any evidence to support the allegations other than the coerced confession. He was not accused of causing any deaths or injuries to others. In 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced him to death.
Jalal Al-Labbad:
He was arrested on May 7, 2017, at the age of 23. Following his arrest, he was reportedly beaten. Initially, he was detained at Qatif Police Station for 24 hours, after which he was transferred to the General Investigations Prison in Dammam, where he was held in solitary confinement for four months. During this period, he was tortured to force him to sign a confession, including being stripped, beaten, and burned with cigarettes. A month after his arrest, he was able to contact his family.
Al-Labbad confirmed that he was forced to sign a confession after being subjected to severe torture. During his trial, he requested medical records to prove the torture he endured, which led to his hospitalization. It appears these requests were not accepted. He was sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court, and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence.
The Special Rapporteurs expressed serious concern about the approval of their death sentences despite information indicating that they did not receive a fair trial and were subjected to torture and mistreatment during detention. They stressed that carrying out the executions under these circumstances could violate Saudi Arabia’s obligations under international human rights law, including the Convention Against Torture.
The Special Rapporteurs reiterated their concerns about secret executions and the failure to return the bodies of executed individuals to their families, which deepens the suffering of these families and further violates their rights.
The Special Rapporteurs urged the Saudi government to:
- • Take all necessary measures to ensure that the death sentences of Al-Darazi, Al-Labbad, and Al-Munasif are not carried out, and that they are retried in accordance with international standards for fair trials, without resorting to the death penalty.
- • Independently and effectively investigate the allegations of torture and ill-treatment suffered by these minors, and hold those responsible accountable.
- • Ensure immediate and unrestricted access to independent lawyers with expertise in human rights.
- • Halt the practice of secret executions and ensure that the bodies of executed individuals are returned to their families in line with international human rights standards.
The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) indicates that the recent communication from the Special Rapporteurs clearly highlights the manipulation exercised by the Saudi government through misleading and unrealistic responses to these issues using international mechanisms. The organization believes that Saudi Arabia's continued threat to the lives of minors and other prisoners of conscience, despite flaws in the judicial system that prevent fair trials, shows the insincerity of the promises made in recent years regarding the reduction of the use of the death penalty. Therefore, ESOHR emphasizes the importance of pursuing alternative means to pressure Saudi Arabia into fulfilling its international obligations.