Rights groups warn of rising executions in Saudi Arabia over past decade

Rights groups warn of rising executions in Saudi Arabia over past decade
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More than 30 international human rights organizations have raised concerns over the increasing use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, reporting that over 2,000 executions have been carried out in the past decade.

The groups, including major global rights bodies, said the figures since 2015 indicate a sharp acceleration. According to their data, the first 1,000 executions took about six years, while the second 1,000 occurred in less than four years, indicating a significant rise in pace.

They also highlighted that some executions were carried out for offenses not considered among the “most serious crimes” under international law, such as drug-related charges, suggesting an expanded application of capital punishment.

Concerns were further raised about cases involving individuals who were minors at the time of their alleged crimes, as well as the high number of foreign nationals sentenced to death—both issues that may conflict with international legal standards.

The organizations said these trends point to ongoing challenges related to fair trials and judicial transparency, and called for a review of death penalty practices to ensure alignment with international human rights obligations.