Saudi Arabia’s Execution Record Raises Alarm Over Minority and Migrant Rights

DID Press: Saudi Arabia has recorded one of the highest execution rates in the world, Over past decade. Findings by human rights organizations indicate that the use of the death penalty in the kingdom has not only continued at a rapid pace but has also taken on complex and deeply troubling dimensions that have intensified international human rights concerns.

A significant proportion of those executed have been foreign nationals, particularly citizens of Pakistan and Syria. This trend suggests that Saudi Arabia’s judicial system places disproportionate pressure not only on its own citizens but also on migrant and foreign communities residing in the country. Reports point to discrimination based on nationality and religious affiliation—especially against Shiite minorities—in sensitive security and terrorism-related cases, drawing growing international criticism.

Another notable aspect is the heavy focus on drug-related offenses and the use of discretionary (ta’zir) punishments, where Islamic law does not prescribe a fixed penalty and judges rule based on what they deem to be societal interest. Combined with documented shortcomings in fair trial standards and the use of coerced confessions, these executions are increasingly viewed as tools of social and political control rather than impartial criminal justice.

Saudi Arabia has seen a particularly sharp rise in executions in recent years, especially in 2025, when at least 347 executions were carried out in a single year. Most of these cases were linked to drug-related crimes, and more than half of those executed were foreign nationals. Families are often not informed in advance, further deepening concerns over violations of basic human rights and due process.

Overall, the pattern of executions in Saudi Arabia reflects not only an extremely punitive criminal policy but also serious and persistent concerns regarding human rights, discrimination against minorities and migrants, and the absence of fair judicial procedures.

Reports by international organizations such as Amnesty International, along with investigations by major global media outlets, have documented these realities in detail, underscoring the urgent need for sustained international attention to the human rights situation in the kingdom.