Nowadays Saudi Arabia is involved in serious human rights violation cases. The increasing number of executions has raised serious concerns about this nation. In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed more than 300 people. This number is recorded as the highest figure in the Kingdom’s history this year. Recently, the nation announced the death penalty for 4 people. 3 were involved in drug smuggling, while 1 was involved in a murder case. This nation carried out more than 200 executions at the end of September. This increasing number of executions with time emphasized the United Nations urging Saudi Arabia to stop the number of executions.
Furthermore, the country’s law is also under scrutiny. This is because of the growing use of the death penalty for offenses like drug smuggling. One of the questions is whether the country’s legal system is fair or accountable. The international community also shows concern about the human rights commitment of Saudi Arabia. Global leaders and people want the Saudi nation to reconsider its death penalty and ensure a fair trial for all.
In 2021, the Kingdom paused execution, but now again the nation has started the process for drug-related crimes. Recently, Saudi Arabia executed 3 Egyptians. Analysts say that this execution violates basic human rights. This is because it happened without warning prisoners, their families, or their lawyers.
Foreigners are not safe in the Kingdom
People who belong to another nation are particularly at risk. They don’t know about the nation’s legal system or how to attain legal help. All of these executions seem unfair because of unfair treatment during arrest, questioning, and trial. Such types of action in the nation raised concerns about human rights in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s process of arrest highlights the lack of respect for international standards. Foreign nationals are not treated fairly. So urgent changes are needed in Saudi Arabia to ensure justice and protect the rights of all individuals.
Growing concerns about the number of Saudi executions
Concerns regarding executions in Saudi Arabia have been voiced by Morris Tidball-Binz and Alice Jill Edwards, two impartial UN experts. Edwards discusses torture and cruel treatment, whereas Tidball-Binz concentrates on illegal killings. These specialists do not formally represent the UN, despite being chosen by the Human Rights Council.
AFP reported that Saudi Arabia has hanged 113 foreign nationals this year. With the mass of executions connected to drug-related charges, this sets a new record. These numbers manifest Saudi Arabia’s stringent laws and universal application of the death penalty, especially against foreign nationals. There are major human rights affairs with the nation’s continuous use of the death penalty. Critics have claimed that these actions may damage international human rights standards and show a lack of fair trials. The findings of the experts highlight the necessity of sudden changes and more soft-hearted methods of administering justice in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s performance for drug-related misdeeds caused Edwards and Tidball-Binz to express grave concerns, as 75% of those executed were foreign nationals. This suggests that trials may not cling to the proper legal process or be fair.
They argue that performing someone before their guilt has been proven is an unfair and capricious neglect of their human rights. This implies a failure to meet international legal standards.
The pundit called on Saudi Arabia to scrap the death penalty for crimes that do not include intentional killing. This change would screen human rights, promote justice, and minimize the likelihood of wrongful executions. Particularly concerning foreigners, it appears that the current system is unjust and discriminatory.