In May 2017, then 14 years old was arrested on charges of robbery and murder. Despite an alibi, and based on a confession of torture and other ill-treatment, he was convicted, and recently sentenced to death for a second time after his original sentence. We were overturned by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia last year.
We are deeply concerned by the confirmation of the death sentence against Mr. Al-Howaiti, on 2 March 2022, without conducting any investigation into the allegations of investigation, the experts said. attack or determine the veracity of an accusation of confession”.
If the Court of Appeals confirms the conviction, Al-Howaiti risks execution.
Mystery test
From not considering an alibi, to dismissing accusations of torture and ill-treatment, and admitting tortured confessions as incriminating evidence that has not been properly investigated, experts Family members were dismayed by the conviction after a trial ended with such procedural irregularities.
“We would like to remind the Saudi authorities of their obligation to conduct a prompt and fair investigation wherever there are reasonable grounds to believe that torture has been perpetrated and removed. exclude any evidence obtained through torture and coercion from judicial proceedings,” the experts said.
Abolish the death penalty
Experts also call on the Government / authorities of Saudi Arabia to adopt measures to abolish the death penalty for children, including those related to punishable crimes. below qisas and hudad.
Qisas is an Islamic term understood to mean “an eye for an eye.” It is used as a type of punitive justice for murder in Saudi Arabia and allows the victim’s family to request a death sentence, restitution or offer amnesty.
Hudud refers to Islamic criminal law or Quranic penalties for crimes including theft, vandalism, adultery, and apostasy.
According to UN experts, the death penalty for children is strictly prohibited under international law without exception or demotion in any case.
“We call on the Government of Saudi Arabia to immediately adopt the necessary legislative measures to abolish the application of the death penalty against children for all crimes.including in relation to offenses punishable under qisas and hudud“Experts said.
Deprivation of life
UN experts have before expressed their concerns regarding this incident to the Government of Saudi Arabia.
Last November, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention made a position in favor that the detention of Al-Howaiti was arbitrary.
They reiterated their demand that the authorities take immediate measures to protect the moral and physical integrity of Mr. Al-Howaiti, considering his age and vulnerability.
The United Nations experts emphasize: “Prolonged unlawful detention can facilitate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and in itself may constitute such a treatment”.
UN experts say the death penalty for juvenile offenders in Saudi Arabia is an act of arbitrary deprivation of life.
More information about experts
The special rapporteurs and independent experts appointed by the UN are based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
The experts in this case included the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, President-Reporter Miriam Estrada-Castillo, Vice President Mumba Malila, and members Elina Steinerte, Matthew Gillett, and Priya Gopalan, along with Priya Gopalan. Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executionsMorris Tidball-Binz.
