Saudi Arabia Executes Juvenile Offender, Shattering Death Penalty Moratorium Promise

Saudi Arabia has executed Jalal Labbad, who was convicted of crimes allegedly committed when he was a minor, raising grave concerns about the kingdom’s commitment to halting the death penalty for juveniles. The execution, which took place on August 21, 2025, has been condemned by human rights organizations as a violation of international law and a betrayal of a supposed promise to cease such practices.

A Broken Promise

Saudi Arabia’s execution of Jalal Labbad, who was under 18 at the time of his alleged offenses, is a direct contravention of international human rights law, which strictly prohibits the death penalty for crimes committed by minors.

Deplorable Human Rights Violations

Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International’s Middle East Campaigner, described Labbad’s execution as "deplorable" and the "tragic culmination of a slew of human rights violations." These violations reportedly include arbitrary detention, grossly unfair prosecution, and a denial of legal representation during pre-trial detention. Labbad had also alleged torture, including beatings and electrocution, to force a confession, claims that the court allegedly failed to investigate.

Concerns for Other Juveniles on Death Row

Amnesty International expressed grave concern for other young men currently on death row in Saudi Arabia, including Abdullah al-Derazi, who also allegedly committed offenses as a minor. Like Labbad, al-Derazi’s sentence was reportedly upheld in secret, and he too faced numerous human rights violations. UN experts have deemed the detention of these young men to be arbitrary.

Background on Jalal Labbad’s Case

Jalal Labbad, born in 1995, was arrested in connection with protests in 2011 and 2012 related to the treatment of Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority. He was convicted and sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court on August 1, 2022, for offenses allegedly committed at ages 16 and 17. His sentence was upheld by an appeals court and, according to credible information received by Amnesty International in October 2023, secretly upheld by Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court.

Family Ties and Reprisals

Tragically, Jalal Labbad’s brother, Fadel Labbad, was executed in 2019. Another brother, Mohammad Labbad, was sentenced to death in October 2022 and again in February 2025 following a retrial. The authorities have been accused of imposing death sentences on members of the Shi’a community to suppress dissent in the Eastern Province.

Official Statements and International Law

In May 2023, the Saudi Human Rights Commission informed Amnesty International that the application of the death penalty on juveniles for ‘ta’zir’ crimes had been completely abolished. Ta’zir crimes are those for which the death penalty is not mandated under Islamic law. However, Labbad was convicted of such crimes. The prohibition of the death penalty for crimes committed under the age of 18 is a well-established principle in international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.