Saudi Arabia has carried out a record number of executions this year, even as the UN prepares to vote on granting the Kingdom a seat on the Human Rights council.
At least 208 people have been executed in the Middle Eastern nation so far this year, surpassing the most recent high of 196 in 2022 with almost three months left on the calendar.
The shocking figure, which human rights groups say is yet to be reported, places the Gulf Arab state among the top five countries where the death penalty is most frequently used, despite Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS ) pledged to reduce the rate of executions.
Since assuming the role of Crown Prince in 2015, MBS has overseen at least 1,447 executions and, despite a moratorium on the use of the death penalty for minor crimes in 2020, instances of capital punishment reached a monthly record of 41 in August. and 32 last month.
The harrowing figures come as the UN prepares to vote in two days on whether to grant the Gulf state membership in the Human Rights council.
Since assuming the role of Crown Prince in 2015, Mohammed Bin Salman (pictured) has overseen at least 1,447 executions, with capital punishment instances hitting a monthly record of 41 in August.
At least 208 people have been executed in the Middle Eastern nation so far this year, surpassing the most recent high of 196 in 2022 with almost three months left on the calendar.
The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The harrowing figures come as the UN prepares to vote in two days on whether to grant the Gulf state membership in the Human Rights council.
Currently, the council has 47 member states that are responsible for addressing human rights violations around the world and strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights.
The UN General Assembly will select 18 new members for a three-year term. Saudi Arabia is one of six candidates vying for five seats in the Asia-Pacific group. Other candidates include Cyprus, South Korea, Thailand, Qatar and the Marshall Islands.
If the nation’s attempt to join the council is successful, it will likely be seen as a major victory for MBS. He has been working to change international opinions about Saudi Arabia as part of his Vision 2030 plan.
Vision 2030 was launched in 2016 by MBS as part of an attempt to diversify the petrostate’s economy away from its dependence on oil. The program also pledges to create a “more vibrant society.”
On paper, many of the reforms overseen by MBS have liberalized much of civil society, such as allowing women the right to drive in 2018 and lifting the ban on public cinemas that same year.
However, human rights groups remain critical of the country’s record, citing incidents such as the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Khashoggi, who had been an outspoken critic of the Saudi autocracy, was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Six years later, the circumstances of his death remain unclear.
More recently, Human Rights Watch has documented that hundreds of Ethiopian migrants were killed while attempting to cross the Yemen-Saudi Arabia border in 2022 and 2023, in what the organization says could be a crime against humanity.
Currently, the council has 47 member states that are responsible for addressing human rights violations around the world. If the Saudi attempt to join the council is successful, it will likely be seen as a major victory for MBS.
Human rights groups continue to criticize Saudi Arabia’s record, citing the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (pictured). Khashoggi, who had been an outspoken critic of Saudi autocracy, was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
A Saudi woman preparing to start a driving lesson. Vision 2030 was launched in 2016 by MBS as part of a bid to diversify the petrostate’s economy and create a “vibrant society.” As part of this liberalization, women were allowed the right to drive in 2018.
Amnesty International has also stated that citizens in Saudi Arabia continue to be illegally imprisoned on a regular basis without the possibility of challenging the legality of their detention. Women continue to face discrimination in law and in practice, such as in child custody cases.
Saudi authorities have been criticized by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard, who charged that the Kingdom is trying to brand itself as an inclusive and future-oriented society, while imposing capital punishment more frequently than ever.
“Saudi Arabian authorities are carrying out a relentless wave of killings that show a chilling disregard for human life while promoting an empty campaign to change their image,” Callamard said.
“The death penalty is an abhorrent and inhuman punishment that Saudi Arabia has used against people for a wide range of crimes, including political dissent and drug charges following grossly unfair trials.
“The authorities must immediately establish a moratorium on executions and order new trials for those sentenced to death in accordance with international standards, without resorting to the death penalty.”
Saudi authorities have been criticized by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard, who charged that the Kingdom is trying to brand itself as an inclusive and future-oriented society, while imposing capital punishment more frequently than ever.
The Saudi capital, Riyadh, at night. Amnesty International has stated that citizens in Saudi Arabia continue to be illegally imprisoned on a regular basis and without the possibility of challenging the legality of their detention. Women continue to face discrimination under the law
Saudi Arabia had previously attempted to join the council in 2020, but its application was rejected due to concerns about its human rights record. A concern emphasized by the United Nations director of Human Rights Watch remains valid today.
Louis Charbonneau said: “Saudi Arabia is not eligible to serve on the Human Rights Council, and UN member states should reject its candidacy as they did in 2020.
“Governments that commit crimes against humanity or similar atrocities and ensure impunity for those responsible should not be rewarded with positions on the UN’s top human rights body.”