First Third Of 2024 In Saudi Arabia: Executions Rise By 189% And Portend Another Bloody Year. At Least 71 Currently Facing Execution.

Since the beginning of 2024 until the end of April, the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 55 individuals. This figure constitutes a 189% increase compared to the executions in the first third of 2023, which witnessed 19 executions.

The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights views these numbers as a clear indication of the Saudi government's continued approach towards executing and issuing death sentences, and that the promises made in recent years have become elusive.

The organization points out that 53 of those executed were males and 2 were females, distributed among the following nationalities: 38 Saudis, 7 Yemenis, 4 Ethiopians, 1 Sri Lankan, and 5 Pakistanis.

According to the data, 35 individuals who were executed faced charges of murder, while the official charges listed in the statement did not include murder charges for 20 individuals. Among the charges they faced were: covering up crimes, participating in terrorist cell formations, endangering national unity, and undermining societal security.

Official information revealed that 19 out of the 20 convicted individuals, who faced charges considered non-serious under international law, were tried before the specialized criminal court for terrorism, indicating Saudi Arabia's determination to use anti-terrorism laws and the notoriously infamous court to issue death sentences contrary to international law.

While it is possible that there are executions that have not been officially announced, the Ministry of Interior's data indicates a shift in the format of its statements and the omission of certain details. The data reveals a troubling pattern regarding the execution process carried out, as it does not mention the type of sentence in 20 cases, which are cases tried on terrorism charges, with 19 of them before the specialized court. Therefore, 36% of the executed individuals did not have the type of sentence mentioned. The organization explains that aside from some mass executions, this is the first time since 2004 that the type of sentence has not been included in the data of executed sentences in Saudi Arabia.

Based on the charges and the context, ESOHR suggests that these sentences are punitive “Taazir”, which are penalties imposed on the perpetrator in crimes below the limits of retaliation and retribution, with the judge having the discretion to determine them according to his judgment. Saudi Arabia's official statements promising to reduce the use of the death penalty have focused on punitive cases “Taazir”, as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated in March 2022 in an interview with The Atlantic، في مقابلة : “The death penalty is now limited to cases where someone else is killed, allowing the victim's family the right to go to court or to pardon”. Thus, he considered that Saudi Arabia has abolished the death penalty except in cases of retaliation and retribution. This is further supported by leaks about halting punitive executions.

Beheading of a Burmese woman on a parking lot, Saudi Arabia

ESOHR believes that the hiding of the type of sentence in official statements regarding executions, likely punitive “Taazir” in nature, is a new tactic adopted by the Saudi government to evade and deny its promises, and a deceitful attempt to conceal the truth rather than abolish the punishment. The organization considers the continued implementation of death sentences in charges considered less severe under international law as a blatant disregard for this law and a complete disregard for international obligations.

Furthermore, ESOHR asserts that the number of executions in the first third of 2024 heralds another bloody year in Saudi Arabia, ringing alarm bells for the lives of individuals whose cases the organization continues to monitor. According to ESOHR's documentation, at least 71 individuals are facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, with 69 of them being tried or have been tried before the specialized criminal court, 2 before the criminal court, and 9 of them are minors.

The organization's monitoring of cases confirms the absence of fair trial conditions, as most detainees have reported mistreatment and torture, while being deprived of the right to adequate self-defense, facing non-violent charges that are not considered serious under international law, including participating in protests, possessing books, tweeting, and publishing.

ESOHR reaffirms that the first third of 2024 has once again exposed the Saudi government's tendencies to whitewash its image through promises, manipulation, and concealment of facts, while continuing to commit grave violations, including real-life killings.

Source: ESOHR, Staff, May 2, 2024

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