Published on: 2026-10-23
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 23, 2026 Human Rights
UN experts condemned the execution of Hassan Zaki al-Faraj, who was convicted for acts committed during his adolescence, and also urged the authorities of Saudi Arabia to refrain from carrying out death sentences against Yusuf Muhammad Mahdi al-Manasif and Muhammad Labbad.
“We are shocked by the execution of al-Faraj in Saudi Arabia,” the experts stated. “The execution of a person for a crime committed in childhood is categorically prohibited by international law and constitutes an arbitrary deprivation of life.”
The Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia announced on October 17, 2026, that al-Faraj was executed along with four other men. According to available information, his family was not informed in advance about the impending execution.
“When a family is kept in the dark about the execution of a loved one and is refused the return of the remains, it causes them deep suffering and constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment,” the experts noted. “We urge the authorities to immediately hand over al-Faraj’s body to his family and to ensure an independent forensic examination is conducted.”
Among the charges brought against al-Faraj was participation in protest actions and funeral processions when he was 14-15 years old. It is reported that the confessions were obtained under torture. Al-Faraj was held in solitary confinement for about three months, then denied access to a lawyer for three years. Over the past year, he became the fourth person executed in Saudi Arabia for alleged crimes committed as a minor.
Experts have expressed serious concern that al-Manasif and Labbad are now under immediate threat of execution after the Supreme Court upheld their death sentences. Both were convicted for participating in peaceful protests, whose participants opposed repression targeting the Shia minority in 2011 and 2012. At that time, al-Manasif was 15-16 years old.
Saudi Arabia must immediately overturn the death sentences it has issued, experts said.
Experts reminded that the Convention on the Rights of the Child unequivocally prohibits the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by persons under 18 years of age. They also emphasized that issuing and carrying out a death sentence in violation of guarantees of a fair trial, including based on confessions obtained under torture, constitutes a violation of the prohibition of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
The statement was signed by Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Pau Pérez-Sales, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; as well as a number of other experts.
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff members and do not receive a salary for their work. The experts act in a personal capacity and independently of governments and any organizations.
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