Saudi Arabia Hits Highest Execution Rate in Decades; HR Concerns Grow Amidst Calls for Reform
In 2024, Saudi Arabia has executed 198 individuals, the highest toll in decades, according to Amnesty International. This figure surpasses the previous peak of 196 executions in 2022 and highlights a troubling trend despite government promises to limit the death penalty. Notably, 53 of this year’s executions were for drug-related offenses, a dramatic rise from just two in 2023, with an average of one execution every two days in July.
Additionally, cases like that of Abdulmajeed al-Nimr illustrate the use of the death penalty to silence political dissent, where individuals are often charged with terrorism-related offenses based on vague allegations of supporting anti-government protests. Many of these cases are marred by serious violations of due process, including lack of legal representation and coerced confessions, raising significant concerns about judicial fairness and transparency in the kingdom.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, criticized the Saudi government for its “relentless killing spree,” pointing to a lack of adherence to international fair trial standards. The death penalty has been used to silence political dissent, particularly against the Shi’a community involved in protests from 2011 to 2013.
Amnesty International calls for an immediate moratorium on executions and re-trials that meet international standards. The organization asserts that the death penalty is a grave violation of human rights, urging Saudi authorities to implement genuine reforms in their judicial system to address these alarming practices.
