Saudi Arabia’s execution of over 100 foreigners in 2023 sparks international outrage and scrutiny of the kingdom’s human rights record.
At a Glance
- Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreign nationals in 2023, the highest number ever recorded.
- The surge in executions contradicts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s statements about limiting the death penalty.
- Human rights organizations express grave concerns over fair trial standards and the use of the death penalty for non-violent crimes.
- Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve its global image through investments and sporting events are overshadowed by ongoing human rights violations.
Record-Breaking Executions Raise Alarm
In a startling development, Saudi Arabia has executed over 100 foreign nationals in 2023, marking the highest number of such executions ever recorded in the kingdom. This unprecedented surge has raised serious concerns among human rights organizations and international observers, casting a shadow over Saudi Arabia’s attempts to rebrand its global image.
The escalation in executions stands in stark contrast to previous statements made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about limiting the use of capital punishment. This discrepancy has led to increased scrutiny of Saudi Arabia’s judicial practices and human rights record.
Human Rights Concerns and International Criticism
Human rights watchdogs have voiced serious concerns over the fairness of trials and the adequacy of legal representation for those condemned to death in Saudi Arabia. Many of these executions are reportedly tied to drug offenses, which do not meet the international standards for “most serious crimes” that warrant capital punishment.
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group has issued a report on Saudi Arabia that includes 354 recommendations from 135 UN member states. These recommendations focus on crucial reforms related to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, abolishing the death penalty, protecting migrant workers’ rights, and eliminating discrimination against women.
The year isn't over, and authorities in Saudi Arabia have already carried out more executions than any full year in the past three decades.
That's a record no one should be proud of. Learn more ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/MOTanREzcR
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) October 20, 2024
Image Rehabilitation Efforts Overshadowed
As Saudi Arabia endeavors to redefine its global image under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, these judicial practices pose a significant hurdle. The kingdom has been using its Public Investment Fund to improve its international standing, including funding lavish sporting events and merging with the Professional Golfers’ Association.
“The Saudi government uses its Public Investment Fund to expand its influence and fund lavish sporting events in an attempt to obscure how it systematically violates human rights,” says Joey Shea, a Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch.
However, these efforts at “sportswashing” are being overshadowed by the kingdom’s continuing human rights violations. The sharp increase in executions, particularly of foreign nationals, has drawn critical attention from the international community and may tarnish Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for modernization and global reintegration.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
Human rights organizations are urging Saudi Arabia to implement genuine reforms and adhere to international human rights standards. Amnesty International has called on the Saudi authorities to use the UPR recommendations as a guide to address human rights violations effectively.
“Saudi Arabian authorities must seize the review’s recommendations as a wake-up call to end their most egregious human rights violations, including the relentless crackdown on freedom of expression, the sentencing of child offenders to death, and the torture and ill-treatment of migrants. The international community should not be hoodwinked by any promises of change by Saudi Arabia, but instead exert their collective influence to ensure crucial rights reforms take place in the country,” says Dana Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Middle East Researcher.
As Saudi Arabia continues to face international pressure, the world watches to see if the kingdom will take concrete steps to address these human rights concerns and align its practices with global standards. The ongoing execution crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in Saudi Arabia’s journey towards modernization and international acceptance.
