RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecution has referred this week for review the death penalty sentences issued to three individuals who were previously convicted of crimes committed while they were minors: Ali Al-Nimr, Dawoud Al-Marhoon and Abdullah Al-Zaher. Each previously received a death sentence for terrorism-related crimes committed before they reached 18 years. Human Rights Commission (HRC) President Awwad Al-Awwad said, "These referrals mark important progress in faithfully implementing an important reform in the legal system, and in advancing human rights in Saudi Arabia." "They demonstrate the critical importance of these reforms not just in changes to the legal code, but in actions." According to the Royal Order issued earlier this year, all authorities are mandated to halt application of the death penalty for those convicted of crimes committed while they were minors. Authorities are instructed to review such cases, and re-sentence individuals based on the Saudi Juvenile Law. Saudi Juvenile Law stipulates that the maximum sentence for anyone convicted of a crime committed while he or she was a minor is 10 years. The sentence should be served in a juvenile detention facility. Further, the Royal Order requires that minors who have already served 10 or more years will be released upon review of their case. "The Juvenile Law is a progressive law, designed to punish wrongdoing as well as provide stronger protection for our youth," Al-Awwad said. "The Royal Order to abolish the use of the death penalty in these cases is comprehensive. And it applies retroactively, even in criminal cases adjudicated before its introduction." Saudi Arabia has enacted more than 70 reforms related to human rights in the Kingdom in the last five years, touching on everything from the rights of women and laborers to improved access to health, education and vital public services. Human rights are a key pillar of the Vision 2030 platform for transformation led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
