Rights Group Accuses Saudi Arabia of Continuing Executions of Juvenile Offenders

Rights Group Accuses Saudi Arabia of Continuing Executions of Juvenile Offenders
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A rights group has accused Saudi Arabia of continuing to impose the death penalty on minors despite government claims of reform. In a new report, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) cited the recent execution of juvenile offender Jalal al-Labbad as evidence that Saudi Arabia’s justice system still allows capital punishment for children.

The group argued that, despite official statements on protecting child rights, systemic flaws in the kingdom’s judiciary leave minors vulnerable to harsh and arbitrary rulings. The report highlighted the absence of a codified penal law or official interpretation of Islamic law, which it said gives judges broad discretionary power to define crimes and impose sentences, including executions.

According to ADHRB, these gaps undermine legal protections and perpetuate abuses against vulnerable groups. The organization urged the international community to pressure Saudi Arabia to end executions of juveniles and to implement binding legal reforms that align with global human rights standards.