The execution of Hassan Zaki al-Faraj in Saudi Arabia has drawn outrage from international human rights organisations and the United Nations, stirring concerns regarding the application of justice in the kingdom. Al-Faraj, who was only 14 during the time of the offences, was executed on October 17 for charges linked to his participation in public protests.
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The Saudi Ministry of Interior disclosed the execution through the Saudi Press Agency shortly after it was carried out. Al-Faraj was arrested in November 2017, accused of counterterrorism-related activities, which allegedly included forming friendships with other detainees. These charges have been fiercely contested by human rights advocates, who posited that the Saudi government exploits counterterrorism laws to suppress political dissent.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that al-Faraj’s sentencing to death in 2022 was premised on methods they describe as deeply flawed. The organisation highlighted that al-Faraj’s confession was reportedly extracted through torture, and he was subject to solitary confinement for an extended period while being denied legal representation. The absence of fair trial practices raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the judicial process in al-Faraj’s case.
The United Nations has labelled the execution an infringement on international law standards, expressing their shock at the decision. A representative for the UN said, “Executing a person for an offence committed as a child is absolutely prohibited under international law. It is an arbitrary deprivation of life.” Additionally, they condemned the lack of communication with al-Faraj’s family prior to the execution, asserting that withholding information regarding such a grave matter adds to the trauma experienced by families of the executed.
Al-Faraj’s situation is emblematic of broader issues concerning the treatment of dissent in Saudi Arabia. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has previously identified al-Faraj’s detention as arbitrary, linking his legal troubles to his involvement in protests advocating for the rights of the Shia minority within the country. The continued use of counterterrorism laws to silence dissenters has prompted significant criticism from various human rights advocates and organisations.
Joey Shea, a senior researcher for HRW focusing on Saudi Arabia, expressed severe disapproval of the execution, labelling it “unconscionable.” He pointed out that the evidence against al-Faraj was reportedly tainted by claims of torture, and the trial was marked by inequitable proceedings. Such processes highlight ongoing concerns regarding human rights practices in Saudi Arabia, particularly in relation to politically charged cases.
While Saudi Arabia announced an end to capital punishment for crimes committed by individuals under the age of 18 in a 2020 executive order, exceptions reportedly remain for cases pertaining to counterterrorism. This inconsistency raises grave concerns about the treatment of minors within the legal framework of the nation, especially in politically sensitive contexts.
Current reports indicate that several other individuals convicted of crimes linked to counterterrorism while being minors could similarly face execution. The escalating number of cases has prompted organisations such as the UN and HRW to advocate for better treatment and justice reform in the region.
As the international community reflects on this troubling event, calls for accountability and reconsideration of Saudi Arabia’s judicial practices grow louder. The situation of Hassan Zaki al-Faraj serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing complexities surrounding human rights in the kingdom and the pressing need for reform in legal protections for minors and political dissenters.