Saudi Arabia abolishes death
penalty for juveniles
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia puts a stop to capital
punishment for crimes committed by persons under the age of eighteen. This
comes on the heels of another decree replacing flogging with jail time, fines
or community service.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
Saudi Arabia on Sunday passed a royal decree ending the
death penalty for crimes committed by minors.
“Instead, the individual will receive a prison sentence of
no longer than ten years in a juvenile detention facility,” the statement read.
This reform comes after another decree on Saturday ordering
judges to end the practice of flogging, replacing it with jail time, community
service or fines. In the past, court-ordered floggings in Saudi Arabia have
drawn criticism from human rights groups.
“This decree helps us to establish a more modern penal
system and demonstrates the kingdom’s commitment to continuing key reforms in
all sectors of our country,” explained Awwad Alawwad, the president of Saudi
Arabia’s Human Rights Commission,
Effects
This latest decree could spare the lives of at least six men
who are on death row. They were arrested after taking part in anti-government
protests while they were minors during the Arab Spring uprisings.
Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s highest rates of
execution, with suspects convicted of varying crimes like rape, homicide, armed
robbery and drug trafficking facing the death penalty. Human rights groups
have long called on the kindgom to abolish the death penalty, particulary for
crimes committed by minors.
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