Increased Executions in Saudi Arabia Spark Human Rights Concerns
In a stark contrast to Saudi Arabia's efforts to project a progressive image, the kingdom has been facing international criticism over its execution practices. Amnesty International reports an alarming increase in executions, with foreign nationals and drug-related offenses being key factors.
## Key Statistics
In the first six months of 2025, Saudi Arabia has executed 180 individuals, averaging one execution every 1.5 days. About 59% to two-thirds of these executions were for drug-related offenses, which are often non-lethal, contradicting international human rights standards. Foreign nationals, particularly those from Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, and Somalia, accounted for 43% of those executed, a trend that has been persistent.
## Concerns and Reactions
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the use of the death penalty for non-violent offenses, citing clear violations of international law. Despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's statements in 2022 limiting the death penalty to homicide convictions only, the trend continues unabated.
Many foreign nationals were executed without full access to legal representation, translators, or consular support, raising concerns about systemic due process violations.
## Legal and Human Rights Implications
The execution of individuals for non-lethal offenses, such as drug-related crimes, is in clear violation of international human rights law, which restricts capital punishment to the most serious crimes. Despite promises to reform sentencing practices, particularly for ta’zir sentences (which rely on judicial discretion), these reforms have not materialized, leading to continued reliance on such sentences in executions.
## Recent Developments
Notably, journalist Turki al-Jassir was executed in Saudi Arabia this year. Al-Jassir, known for addressing issues such as women's rights and corruption, was detained in 2018, according to human rights organization ALQST. He was accused of "terrorism" and endangering national security, among other things.
Despite the criticism, Saudi Arabia is trying to open up more for tourists and investments. However, the continued use of the death penalty for crimes other than drug-related offenses suggests that the kingdom still has a long way to go in terms of human rights reform.
In 2034, Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup, adding another layer of scrutiny to its human rights record. It remains to be seen how the kingdom will navigate these challenges in the coming years.
The concerning trend of executions in Saudi Arabia, particularly for non-violent drug-related offenses and foreign nationals, has sparked widespread criticism from human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International. This issue, along with systemic due process violations, raises questions about the kingdom's commitment to international human rights standards and its readiness for increased tourism and investments.
