Advocacy Organizations Condemn New Record in Executions in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has exceeded its previous yearly high for the carrying out of death sentences for a second straight year.

No fewer than 347 people have been put to death so far this year, per data from a London-based advocacy organization that tracks such sentences.

This figure exceeds the final count of 345 recorded in 2024, representing what the group calls the "deadliest year of executions in the kingdom since records started."

The latest individuals to be executed involved two citizens of Pakistan found guilty on drug-related offences.

Analysis of the Executions

Further cases this year comprised a journalist and two young men who were minors at the time of their claimed offences linked to demonstrations.

Five of those were women. However, per the monitoring group, the largest portion—approximately two-thirds—were found guilty for not involving murder narcotics charges.

Global organizations have declared that applying the ultimate sentence for such offences is "contrary to international human rights standards."

A majority of those put to death were individuals from other countries, implicated in what has been labeled a "crackdown on substances" within the kingdom.

"The kingdom is functioning with absolute immunity now," remarked a head of the rights organization. "It's almost flouting the global justice mechanism."

The official further labeled torture and forced confessions as "widespread" within the Saudi judicial process, calling it a "brutal and arbitrary crackdown."

Individual Cases

Among those executed recently was a young fisherman from Egypt, taken into custody in 2021. He reportedly claimed he was pressured into smuggling drugs.

Loved ones of men on death row for drug charges have given accounts privately the "terror" they now live in.

"The single occasion of the week that I rest is on the weekend because there are no death sentences carried out on those days," a family member said.

Other prisoners have allegedly seen individuals they lived alongside for years being "taken kicking and screaming to their death."

Wider Backdrop

The effective leader of Saudi Arabia, whose rise began in 2017, has led major shifts in policy, relaxing some rules while concurrently cracking down on dissent.

Although the country has become more accessible in a bid to move away from oil dependency, its human rights record remains "abysmal" according to international observers.

"There have been no consequences for carrying out these executions," commented a expert focusing on the region. "International gatherings continue with little backlash."

Claims suggest families of the condemned are usually not informed in advance, denied the bodies, and not informed about the location of graves.

Global Condemnation

A global human rights official has called for an instant halt on executions in Saudi Arabia, advocating for eventual elimination.

The expert also stressed the need for "full compliance with international safeguards," including representation and diplomatic support for non-citizens.

Specific cases have drawn focused criticism, including those of individuals who were minors at the time of their charged acts and a journalist executed on national security allegations.

"The death penalty against media workers is a frightening blow on press freedom," declared a senior UN cultural official.

In a official communication to international queries, Saudi authorities have asserted that the country "safeguards human rights" and that its laws "prohibit and punish torture."

The response continued that the ultimate sentence is applied solely for the "heinous violations" and after exhausting all judicial proceedings.