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Saudi Arabia to Execute Man for Teenage Protest Attendance

Human rights groups say Youssef al-Manasif faces death for attending Shia religious demonstrations and funerals as a minor

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Human rights groups report that Youssef al-Manasif, a young Saudi man, faces imminent execution after his death sentence was upheld by the kingdom's supreme court. Arrested in 2017 at age 15, he was convicted of attending protests and funerals deemed unlawful by Saudi authorities. Activists say the case underscores Saudi Arabia's continued use of capital punishment for non-violent crimes committed by minors, despite a 2020 royal decree abolishing the practice.

Youssef al-Manasif was arrested in 2017 and accused of joining demonstrations for religious freedom by the Shia minority and attending funerals that Saudi authorities classify as protests. He was convicted and sentenced to death by the specialised criminal court, a secretive tribunal for terrorism cases.

According to the charity Reprieve, Manasif was tortured and coerced into signing a false confession. He only met his state-appointed lawyer for the first time in 2022, five years after his arrest. His family have not spoken publicly about the case and could face harassment or arrest if they do so, said Duaa Dhainy, a consultant for Reprieve and the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights.

Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree in 2020 abolishing the death penalty for minors, stating that individuals would not be sentenced to death for crimes committed as children. However, human rights groups report that at least 17 people executed since 2015 were children at the time of their alleged offences. In April, Saudi Arabia executed Ali al-Subaiti, along with his uncle, for non-lethal terrorist offences committed when he was 12 years old.

The case occurs amid a surge in executions under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Last year, a record 356 people were put to death in Saudi Arabia, most of them foreigners convicted of minor and non-violent drug crimes.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The case highlights the gap between Saudi Arabia's stated legal reforms and its continued application of the death penalty for juvenile offenders.
  • It raises questions about the kingdom's human rights record as it seeks to attract international investment and tourism.
  • The execution could impact diplomatic relations with Western allies and human rights organisations.

Background

Saudi Arabia has seen a dramatic increase in executions in recent years, particularly under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In 2020, the government issued a royal decree ending the death penalty for minors, but human rights groups say it has been inconsistently applied. Cases like that of Ali al-Subaiti, executed in April for offences at age 12, suggest the decree has not prevented executions for crimes committed before adulthood. The specialised criminal court, established for terrorism cases, has been criticised for its lack of transparency and due process.

Key Perspectives

[Human Rights Groups]: Reprieve and other organisations argue that Manasif's conviction is based on coerced confessions and that the judicial process was unfair. They call for an immediate halt to the execution and a review of the case. [Saudi Authorities]: The government has not commented specifically on this case, but maintains that its courts operate independently and that it has taken steps to protect human rights, including the 2020 decree. The specialised criminal court classifies such activities as terrorism. [Critics/Skeptics]: Observers note that the 2020 decree has not prevented executions of individuals who were minors at the time of their crimes, suggesting a loophole in enforcement. The silence of Manasif's family indicates fear of reprisals, undermining the possibility of a fair legal process.

What to Watch

  • Whether international bodies, such as the UN, issue formal appeals for clemency.
  • The timing of the execution, which could occur imminently following the supreme court's decision.
  • If this case triggers broader scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's judicial system during its human rights review at the UN.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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