Recent reports from rights groups highlight a concerning rise in executions in Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Watch and the Middle East Democracy Centre have expressed alarm over the increased use of the death penalty to suppress peaceful dissent, often without due process. The groups cite the executions of activists and journalists, including Turki al-Jasser, Abdullah al-Shamri, and Salman al-Odah, as evidence of this troubling trend. Additionally, the mass execution of 81 men in 2022 underscores the severity of the situation. For more details, see the JURIST article.
This year alone, the kingdom has executed at least 100 foreign nationals, with a total of 189 executions primarily related to drug charges, compared to 198 by September last year. A representative from Human Rights Watch emphasized the misuse of the justice system under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rule, warning that these executions are indicative of autocratic governance.
Saudi Arabia is expected to adhere to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which restricts the death penalty to the most serious crimes. While the kingdom has ratified this charter, it has not joined the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which imposes similar limitations. Senior director Abdullah Alaoudh of the Middle East Democracy Center stressed that the execution of non-violent activists and journalists reflects state-sanctioned violations of human rights.
A related concern was raised by Amnesty International in April, highlighting a significant rise in death penalties for drug-related offences. The United Nations also issued a statement in late 2022, condemning the pace of executions in Saudi Arabia, which has provoked widespread criticism about torture, coerced confessions, and prolonged detention without trial.
Furthermore, rights groups have been actively voicing their concerns over the execution practices that stand in stark contrast to international human rights norms. Comprehensive details about the executions have been documented by Human Rights Watch, bringing global attention to these ongoing human rights issues. The use of capital punishment as a political tool raises significant questions about the legal systems in place and the international community’s response.