The surge in executions of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia is driving a wedge between the kingdom and international human rights advocates. This wedge is nothing new. The scale of the executions is however.
Escalating Execution Rates
Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreign nationals in 2023, marking the highest number ever recorded for foreign executions in a single year. These executions have primarily targeted individuals from Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, and other countries. The European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) described this as the largest number of foreign executions ever documented. The total number is nearly triple that of the past two years combined.
The drastic increase correlates with Saudi Arabia ending its moratorium on executing drug offenders in 2022. The absence of adequate legal representation for migrants and other foreign defendants further exacerbates the situation, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the kingdom’s judicial processes.
Over 100 foreigners have been executed in Saudi Arabia in 2024, marking the largest year for foreigner executions in the kingdom's historyhttps://t.co/gi5IONqFMq
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 18, 2024
International and Humanitarian Ramifications
The execution of a Yemeni national convicted of drug smuggling is just one example of Saudi Arabia’s harsh legal repercussions for alleged crimes. The ramifications of these policies have not only strained Saudi relations with the countries of the executed individuals but have also drawn sharp criticism from global human rights organizations.
Saudi Arabia’s stance on capital punishment is now central to conversations regarding its national policies and international human rights expectations.
With Saudi Arabia’s execution figures trailing only behind China and Iran, human rights advocates urge legal reforms. The criticism emphasizes contradictions between the country’s execution rate and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s promises to limit the death penalty only to murder cases or life-threatening offenses.
🔴 Execution of more than 100 foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia in 2024
Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreign nationals this year, according to Agence France-Presse.
According to a report published by the news agency on Sunday, November 17, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia…— Breakingnews (@janetking851241) November 17, 2024
Calls for Legal Reforms
Human rights groups are calling for increased transparency in Saudi Arabia’s legal proceedings. Migrant workers, who are particularly vulnerable, often lack adequate access to court documents and encounter numerous legal barriers from arrest to execution.
The future of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record lies in its response to these calls for reform. Enhancements in legal transparency and protections for foreigners on trial may potentially alleviate tensions between the kingdom and the international community.