Human Rights Groups Condemn Surge in Executions in Saudi Arabia

Human Rights Groups Condemn Surge in Executions in Saudi Arabia
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Human rights organizations have raised alarms over a significant rise in executions in Saudi Arabia, citing concerns over violations of legal procedures, according to media reports. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC) noted that 22 executions were carried out in a single day last week. The groups reported 345 executions in 2024, with 241 already carried out in the first half of 2025.

HRW’s regional representative highlighted that the spike in executions reflects an authoritarian trend, with authorities reportedly using the justice system to implement an unusually high number of capital punishments. Reprieve, a UK-based human rights organization, stated that roughly half of those executed were foreign nationals, and only 162 were executed on drug-related charges.

Among notable cases, journalist and blogger Turki Al-Jasser was executed in June 2025, after being detained in 2018 on charges including alleged acts of terrorism and destabilizing state security. MEDC officials described state-sponsored executions as violations of fundamental human rights.

Human rights groups also criticized prolonged detention without formal charges, trials lacking legal representation, and the use of confessions obtained under alleged torture. They urged the international community to scrutinize Saudi Arabia’s judicial practices and ensure accountability.