Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 people in 2025, marking a record for the second consecutive year, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. This figure surpassed the previous record set in 2024, when 345 individuals were executed. The alarming trend raises concerns over the kingdom’s commitment to reform its judicial practices amidst ongoing scrutiny over human rights issues.
The executions predominantly involved foreign nationals, with nearly 70 percent of those executed being non-Saudi citizens, many of whom faced convictions related to drug offenses. Additionally, some individuals were executed for exposing official corruption or were accused of terrorism, often belonging to ethnic minority groups. This trend of capital punishment has drawn criticism, particularly given the ongoing international advocacy urging Saudi Arabia to reform its human rights record.
Despite assurances from Saudi officials about reforming their stance on capital punishment, incidents like the execution of Jalal al-Labbad, who was arrested as a minor, highlight a disturbing deviation from pledges such as the 2020 Royal Decree that aimed to eliminate death sentences for juveniles. This situation challenges the directives outlined in international agreements such as the Arab Charter on Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which emphasize strict limitations on capital punishment and its application, especially concerning minors.
Amnesty International has highlighted repeated violations of due process in Saudi Arabia’s legal proceedings, underscoring the systemic hurdles defendants face in receiving fair trials. This systemic issue complicates Saudi Arabia’s position under the Convention against Torture, which prohibits executions stemming from unfair judicial practices or discrimination.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which includes promises to empower citizens and create an equitable society, seems inconsistent with the high rate of executions and the evident gaps in judicial fairness. Human Rights Watch continues to critique the kingdom’s use of capital punishment, labeling it as inherently cruel and irreversible.
For further details, the full report on the execution records can be found here.