Death penalty figures in Saudi Arabia are breaking records and shocking the world. More than 100 foreigners have been sentenced to death in the Gulf country in 2024. This year the total number has increased to 101. This figure has broken the records of the last two years. There has been a huge increase in death penalty cases against foreigners in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia. Recently a citizen of Yemen has been punished for a drug trafficking case.
In Saudi Arabia, between 34 and 34 people were sentenced to death in 2023 and 2022. Now the latest data shows that cases of death sentences for foreigners have almost tripled. This year, among the people from the countries who have been sentenced to death, the maximum number of 21 people are from Pakistan. While the names of three Indians are included. In addition, the names of 20 people from Yemen, 14 from Syria, 10 from Nigeria, 9 from Egypt, 8 from Jordan and 7 from Ethiopia appear on the list. Three people from Sudan, one from Afghanistan, one from Sri Lanka, one from Eritrea and one from the Philippines have also been hanged.
101 foreigners hanged this year
On Saturday, a Yemeni national was found guilty of a drug trafficking case and his execution was announced. With this, a record has been created in the Gulf country by sentencing 101 foreigners to death in 2024. This is the largest number.
Highest death penalty rate in Saudi Arabia
According to the AFP news agency, the death penalty rate in Saudi Arabia remains the highest. Activist groups say there is a widespread need for comprehensive hanging reforms. There has been a complete crackdown on the Crown Prince’s political opponents and zero tolerance for dissent.
Human rights organizations condemned
Saudi Arabia has long faced criticism over the death penalty. Human rights organizations have also condemned the Gulf country, saying it is not in line with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to soften its tough image and attract international tourists and investors. Saudi Arabia is a country rich in oil.
Hung cases broke records
According to the international human rights organization Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia ranks third in terms of hanging foreign prisoners. In 2023, the maximum number of prisoners will be sentenced to death in China and Iran. In September this year, Saudi Arabia carried out the largest number of death sentences in more than three decades. This figure is higher than the death penalty imposed on 196 people in 2022 and 192 people in 1995. The total number of hangings in 2024 amounted to 274 in mid-November. So far, a total of 92 people have been hanged for drug-related cases, of which 69 were foreigners.
How is punishment decided in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia’s Islamic law, the death penalty is imposed for different types of crimes in three categories. This includes the names of Kisas (punitive), Hadh (obligatory) and Tajir (discretionary). Within these categories, Saudi courts have broad powers to determine what behavior constitutes a criminal offense and what penalties may result, including the death penalty. Saudi Arabia lifted a three-year moratorium on drug-related executions in 2022, leading to a significant rise in deaths this year.
Previously, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had stated that in Saudi Arabia the death penalty is applied in cases related to murder and that endanger the lives of many people.
