{"id":20881,"date":"2022-05-30T14:25:07","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T14:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reprieve.org\/uk\/?p=20881"},"modified":"2022-05-30T16:07:45","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T16:07:45","slug":"un-experts-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-annul-death-sentence-of-child-defendant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reprieve.org\/uk\/2022\/05\/30\/un-experts-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-annul-death-sentence-of-child-defendant\/","title":{"rendered":"UN experts call on Saudi Arabia to annul death sentence of child defendant."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A group of UN Legal experts have called on Saudi Arabia to annul Abdullah al-Howaiti\u2019s second death sentence<\/strong> because he did not receive a fair trial, as credible reports that he was tortured into making a false confession when he was 14 years old were not investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Special Rapporteurs wrote that \u201cit is inherently cruel to execute children,\u201d<\/strong> and called on Saudi Arabia to \u201cabolish the imposition of the death penalty for juveniles for all crimes, without exception.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts drew particular attention to the impact on Abdullah\u2019s mental health when he was sentenced to death for a second time on March 2, 2022. His first conviction was overturned by Saudi Arabia\u2019s Supreme Court due to a lack of admissible evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citing reports that Abdullah had suffered a mental health crisis, gone on hunger strike, collapsed in prison and been taken to a psychiatric ward, the experts observed that \u201cthe anxiety created by the threat of death and the other circumstances surrounding an execution, inflicts great psychological pressure and trauma on persons sentenced to death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdullah\u2019s appeal against his second death sentence is currently being heard by Saudi Arabia\u2019s Court of Appeal. There have been two hearings in quick succession, scheduled at such short notice that international observers have been unable to attend. A verdict is expected soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts warned that \u201cthe execution of the death sentence, against Mr. al-Howaiti, which is resulting from an apparent lack of due process of law and unfair trial procedures could amount to an arbitrary and thus unlawful execution<\/strong> prohibited under international law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other key passages from the UN letter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n