ROMA – Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year – all beheaded – marking a shocking increase in the macabre rites of cutting off the heads of the condemned, described as “unprecedented” by humanitarian organizations that defend human rights. The news was released by the French agency AFP and relaunched by Hands off Cain. The latest execution, which took place on November 16 in the south-western region of Najran, involved a Yemeni citizen convicted of drug trafficking in the Kingdom.
Three times as many executed compared to 2023 and 2022. This brings the number of foreigners executed so far in 2024 to 101, according to state media reports. This is almost triple the figures for 2023 and 2022, when Saudi authorities executed 34 foreigners each year. The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR), based in Berlin, said this year’s executions have already broken a record. “This is the highest number of executions of foreigners in a year. Saudi Arabia had never executed 100 foreigners in a single year,” said Taha al-Hajji, a leader of the group.
The immoderate use of the executioner is not in line with the image of the country that one wants to give. Saudi Arabia faces ongoing criticism for its use of the death penalty, which human rights groups condemn as excessive and not in line with efforts to improve its image and welcome international tourists and investors. The Kingdom executed the third-highest number of prisoners in the world after China and Iran in 2023, second Amnesty International.
In September the peak of executions. In September, Saudi Arabia achieved its highest number of executions in more than three decades, surpassing its previous records of 196 in 2022 and 192 in 1995. From September onwards executions continued apace, reaching number of 274 on November 17.
The nationalities of the condemned. Foreigners executed this year include 21 from Pakistan, 20 from Yemen, 14 from Syria, 10 from Nigeria, nine from Egypt, eight from Jordan and seven from Ethiopia. There were also three each from Sudan, India and Afghanistan and one each from Sri Lanka, Eritrea and the Philippines. In 2022 the Kingdom ended a three-year moratorium on executions for drug crimes and executions linked to this type of crime have caused the numbers to increase this year. There have been 92 executions for drug crimes carried out so far in 2024, 69 of which were of foreigners.
Denied fair trials. Diplomats and activists say foreign defendants are usually most denied fair trials, including the right to access trial documents. Foreigners “are the most vulnerable group,” said ESOHR’s Hajji. Not only are they often “victims of major drug traffickers” but also “subjected to a series of violations from the time of their arrest until their execution,” he said.
The decapitation method. Saudi Arabia is known for beheading death row inmates, although official statements tend not to specify the method of execution. The consistently high number of executions belies statements by Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who told “The Atlantic” in 2022 that the Kingdom had eliminated the death penalty except in cases of murder or when an individual posed a threat to multiple lives.
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**How does the host’s framing of Saudi Arabia’s recent social and economic reforms as contradicting the dramatic increase in executions impact the discussion and potential audience perspectives?** This question explores the rhetorical strategy employed by the host and its potential effect on shaping the audience’s understanding of the issue.
## An Urgent Discussion: The Rise of Executions in Saudi Arabia
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News’ in-depth discussion on a topic that has recently spurred international concern: the rising number of executions in Saudi Arabia, particularly those involving foreign nationals. We are joined today by two distinguished guests.
**Guest 1:** Dr. Anya Sharma, a prominent international law scholar specializing in human rights violations in the Middle East.
**Guest 2:** Mr. Faisal Al-Masri, a Saudi journalist and human rights advocate based in Riyadh.
**[Section 1: The Scale and Impact of the Executions]**
**Host:** Dr. Sharma, the article highlights a truly shocking statistic – over 100 foreigners executed in Saudi Arabia this year alone, a figure three times higher than the previous two years. What are your thoughts on this dramatic increase and its potential ramifications?
**Dr. Sharma:** This unprecedented surge in executions is deeply troubling. It represents a chilling disregard for international human rights standards and raises serious questions about Saudi Arabia’s commitment to justice and due process.
**Host:** Mr. Al-Masri, what is your perspective on this situation? How do you think this surge in executions is perceived within Saudi Arabia, and what are the potential consequences for the country’s image on the global stage?
**[Section 2: Targeting of Foreign Nationals]**
**Host:** The article notes that a significant number of those executed were foreigners. Dr. Sharma, what factors might contribute to the seemingly disproportionate targeting of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia’s judicial system?
**Dr. Sharma:** It’s crucial to examine the power dynamics at play. Foreign workers, often from impoverished nations, can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation and unfair treatment within the Saudi legal system.
**Host:** Mr. Al-Masri, how do you see this issue playing out within Saudi society? Are there discussions about the apparent targeting of foreigners, and if so, what are the prevailing viewpoints?
**[Section 3: The Death Penalty and Saudi Arabia’s Reform Narrative]**
**Host:** Saudi Arabia has recently undertaken significant social and economic reforms, aiming to modernize its image and attract foreign investment. How does this surge in executions, particularly the use of such brutal methods like beheading, align with this reform narrative, Dr. Sharma?
**Dr. Sharma:** This blatant contradiction casts doubt on the sincerity of Saudi Arabia’s reform efforts.
**Host:** Mr. Al-Masri, are there voices within Saudi Arabia advocating for alternative approaches to justice, perhaps abolition of the death penalty altogether? And how receptive is the government to such calls for change?
**[Section 4: Ensuring Fair Trials and International Pressure]**
**Host:** The article suggests that foreign nationals often lack access to fair trials. Dr. Sharma, what specific measures can the international community take to ensure that everyone, regardless of their nationality, receives a fair and just trial in Saudi Arabia?
**Dr. Sharma:** This necessitates targeted diplomacy, public pressure, and a firm stance from international organizations dedicated to upholding human rights.
**Host:** Mr. Al-Masri, what role can Saudi civil society play in pushing for judicial reforms that protect human rights and ensure fairer trials? What kind of support would be most helpful from the international community?
**[Concluding Remarks]**
**Host:** This has been a critical conversation shedding light on a deeply concerning issue. We thank Dr. Sharma and Mr. Al-Masri for sharing their valuable insights. The world is watching Saudi Arabia, and the international community must continue to press for justice, transparency, and adherence to international human rights standards.
