Saudi Arabia has carried out a record number of executions this year, even as the UN votes on whether the Kingdom will get a seat on the Human Rights Council.
At least 208 people have been put to death in the Middle East so far this year, surpassing the most recent record of 196 in 2022, with almost three months left in the calendar.
This shocking figure, which remains under-reported according to human rights groups, puts the Arab Gulf state firmly in the top five countries where the death penalty is most commonly used, despite Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) having pledged to reduce the number of executions to push.
Since taking on the role of crown prince in 2015, MBS has overseen at least 1,447 executions and, despite a mortar over the use of the death penalty for minor crimes in 2020, capital punishment cases reached a monthly record of 41. and 32 last month.
The dire figures come as the UN prepares to vote in two days on whether the Gulf state should be granted membership of the Human Rights Council.
Since taking over as crown prince in 2015, Mohammed Bin Salman (pictured) has overseen at least 1,447 executions and the number of capital punishment cases reached a monthly record of 41 in August.
At least 208 people have been put to death in the Middle East so far this year, surpassing the most recent record of 196 in 2022, with almost three months left in the calendar.
The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The dire figures come as the UN prepares to vote in two days on whether the Gulf state should be granted membership of the Human Rights Council.
The Council currently has 47 member states responsible for addressing human rights violations around the world and strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights.
The UN General Assembly will select eighteen 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 country’s bid to join the council is successful, it will likely be seen as a major victory for MBS. He has been working to change international views on Saudi Arabia as part of his Vision 2030 plan.
Vision 2030 was launched by MBS in 2016 as part of an effort to diversify the petrostate’s economy away from dependence on oil. The program is also committed to creating a ‘vibrant society’.
On paper, many of the reforms overseen by MBS have liberalized large parts of civil society, for example giving women the right to drive in 2018 and lifting a ban on public cinemas the same year.
However, human rights groups have remained critical of the country’s record, citing incidents such as the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Mr Khashoggi, who was an outspoken critic of the Saudi autocracy, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Six years after the death, the circumstances of his death are still unclear.
More recently, Human Rights Watch has documented that hundreds of Ethiopian migrants were killed as they tried to cross the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia in 2022 and 2023 — which the organization said could potentially constitute a crime against humanity.
The council currently has 47 member states responsible for tackling human rights violations around the world. If the Saudi bid to join the council is successful, it will likely be seen as a major victory for MBS
Human rights organizations remain critical of Saudi Arabia’s record, citing the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (photo). Mr Khashoggi, who was an outspoken critic of the Saudi autocracy, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018
A Saudi woman prepares to start a driving lesson. Vision 2030 was launched by MBS in 2016 as part of an effort to diversify the petrostate’s economy and create a “vibrant society.” As part of this liberalization, women were given the right to drive in 2018
Amnesty International has also claimed that citizens in Saudi Arabia continue to be unlawfully imprisoned on a regular basis, without the opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention. Women still face discrimination in law and in practice, such as in child custody cases.
Saudi authorities have been heavily criticized by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard, who accused the Kingdom of trying to portray itself as an inclusive, forward-looking society while imposing the death penalty more often than ever before.
“Saudi Arabia’s authorities are carrying out a brutal killing spree, demonstrating a chilling disregard for human life, while promoting an empty campaign to rebrand their image,” Callamard said.
“The death penalty is an abhorrent and inhumane punishment that Saudi Arabia has used against people for a wide range of crimes, including political dissent and drug-related charges following grossly unfair trials.
“The authorities should immediately impose a moratorium on executions and order new trials for those on death row, in accordance with international standards, without resorting to the death penalty.”
Saudi authorities have been heavily criticized by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard, who accused the Kingdom of trying to portray itself as an inclusive, forward-looking society while imposing the death penalty more often than ever before.
The Saudi capital Riyadh at night. Amnesty International has claimed that citizens in Saudi Arabia continue to be regularly unlawfully imprisoned without the opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention. Women still face discrimination in the law
Saudi Arabia had previously tried to join the council in 2020, but the application was rejected at the time due to concerns over its human rights record. A concern that, according to the director of United Nations Human Rights Watch, is still current.
Louis Charbonneau said: “Saudi Arabia is unfit to sit on the Human Rights Council, and UN member states must 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 seats on the UN’s highest human rights body.”