Saudi Border Forces Accused of Violence Against Ethiopian Migrants

Reports have emerged accusing Saudi Arabia’s border forces of using indiscriminate violence against Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross from Yemen, The Guardian reported. Witnesses recount experiences of machine-gun fire, with many claiming to have seen rotting bodies along the border. One migrant described witnessing three deaths and sustaining severe injuries during an attempted crossing in 2022.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented claims that Saudi border guards killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants between March 2022 and June 2023, with allegations of systematic abuse, including rape and torture. Satellite imagery revealed numerous graves in migrant camps, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Saudi Arabia hosts approximately 750,000 Ethiopian migrants, many of whom enter illegally, facing perilous journeys and exploitation. Despite international scrutiny, there are no signs that Saudi forces have ceased using lethal force to deter crossings. Activists call for greater accountability and action from the global community to address these human rights violations.