Human rights organizations have sharply criticized Saudi Arabia’s alarming spike in executions, which reached an unprecedented high last year. Reprieve and the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) highlighted how this surge contradicts the kingdom’s effort to showcase a more progressive and welcoming facade under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As Saudi Arabia invests heavily in tourism and sports initiatives to shift away from its oil-dependent economy, the most recent executions starkly contrast with its ongoing public relations campaigns.
Last year alone, at least 338 executions took place, nearly double the numbers from 2023. Reprieve and ESOHR, tallying a slightly higher 345 executions, noted that this marks a troubling increase since King Salman ascended to the throne in 2015. Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve painted a grim picture with his remarks, hinting at the possible implications of ongoing executions in light of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia stands as one of the world’s most frequent practitioners of capital punishment, trailing only behind China and Iran, according to Amnesty International. The kingdom argues that executions are indispensable for maintaining public order and following exhaustive legal procedures. A significant uptick in executions within the past few months has raised global concerns, with 254 people executed just between July and December, surpassing 2022’s yearly total.
The recent execution of six individuals from Iran over drug offenses has also escalated diplomatic tensions, prompting Iran to summon the Saudi ambassador. Notably, over a third of the executions carried out last year were linked to drug-related convictions, underscoring a disturbing trend. Taha al-Hajji, legal director at ESOHR, voiced a critical observation of the regime’s growing use of the death penalty, especially for lesser offenses, creating an atmosphere of fear within the kingdom.
Human rights groups denounce Saudi Arabia’s record-high execution rates, with at least 338 people executed last year, nearly double previous totals and a sharp increase since King Salman took power. As the kingdom invests in tourism and sports, it faces scrutiny for its capital punishment practices, which provoke international condemnation and raise serious concerns about human rights.
The rising death penalty rates in Saudi Arabia highlight the kingdom’s disturbing use of capital punishment, reflecting a severe contradiction to its ambitions of modernization and openness. With human rights organizations sounding alarms, the global community watches closely to see how Saudi Arabia reconciles its public image with its actions. As executions escalate, so do the fears and concerns for the Saudi populace.
The increasing number of executions in Saudi Arabia has sparked international outrage and condemnation from human rights advocates. This development comes concurrently with the kingdom’s efforts to rebrand itself on the global stage, particularly in preparation for significant events like the 2034 World Cup. The juxtaposition of executing individuals while promoting a more tolerant image has raised serious ethical questions regarding the country’s leadership and its judicial system.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
