Saudi Arabia Called to End Extreme Punishment of Minors by UN Committee

Tyler McNally | October 20, 2016
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The United Nation's Committee on the Rights of the Child has demanded Saudi Arabia end its policy of amputating, flogging, stoning, and executing children and minors according to an Independent report.

Unlike most Western countries where age 18 is the legal limit for increased punishments, barring exemptions, Saudi Arabia allows children as young as 15 to be on the receiving end of increased punishments. The Committee on the Rights of the Child describes the legal process in such situations as "trials falling short of guarantees of due process and a fair trial."

Including in the report are the abuses of young girls and minorities at the hand of the government and other male figureheads. Per the Independent report, the Saudi government "still does not recognize girls as full subjects of rights and continues to severely discriminate (against) them in law and practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship."

In the same right, minorities experience little legal protection and are subject to harsh penalties and punishments. The Sunni country is notable for their persecution of Shi'ite, Christians, and other religious minorities. In January 2016, four out of 47 Shi'ite minorities executed for "security offenses" were minors.

The Independent reports, "Responding to the committee's findings, the Saudi Human Rights Commission told the body that Islamic Sharia law, was above all laws and treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child."

h/t Reddit

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