22، فبراير 2025
PDF VERSION PDF
Introduction:
Amid record-breaking execution numbers, lengthy judicial sentences, and ongoing arbitrary detentions in 2024, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a major international player, adopting the slogan "Together We Grow" following its successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This announcement has sparked fundamental questions about the ethical standards governing the selection of host countries for such global events and the role of international actors in enabling Saudi Arabia's attempts to whitewash its image on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia's selection to host such massive sporting events comes as part of its relentless, years-long efforts to obscure the harsh realities of its troubling human rights record. This record includes one of the highest execution rates in the world, systematic suppression of freedom of expression, and the erasure of civil society. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia leverages international platforms like the United Nations and the Human Rights Council to project an image of supposed commitment to human rights, attempting to exploit these venues to mask ongoing violations.
In its 2024 annual report, the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights aims to shed light on some of these violations and Saudi Arabia's persistent efforts to obscure the reality of human rights in the country. The report also seeks to expose the government's attempts to employ "image laundering" tactics through diplomacy, sports, and international platforms, while documenting the increasing number of victims resulting from these policies—policies that could escalate further in the future.
Sports and Whitewashing:
The year 2024 marked a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's attempts to whitewash its blood-stained reputation before the world. In December 2024, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) officially announced Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This announcement raised pressing questions about the stark contradiction between the standards FIFA claims to adhere to in selecting host nations and the reality of choosing a country among the world's top executioners and one with a blatant disregard for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international treaties. While host nations are theoretically expected to meet certain commitments before and after hosting the World Cup, the lack of mechanisms for monitoring and accountability within Saudi Arabia makes such oversight implausible.
Moreover, 2024 exposed the dark side of the Saudi government’s treatment of athletes domestically. In February 2024, the Ministry of Sports dissolved the board of directors of Al-Safa Club in the city of Safwa, Qatif, following chants by fans during a match on January 24, 2024.
Information obtained by the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights revealed the arrest of 10 members of the fan association, their transfer to Qatif General Prison, and the summoning and investigation of over 150 individuals. Subsequently, trials began for several detainees, with the Public Prosecution seeking imprisonment and other penalties based on the Anti-Cybercrime Law, in addition to discretionary punishments.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted several major sporting events, including the Italian Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, the International Judo Championship, and the Formula E Championship, with more events expected in the future. This comes amid long-standing violations targeting athletes and sports fans. The organization has documented dozens of athletes who were arrested or killed in recent years. Among the victims:
- 1. Mujtaba Nader Al-Swaiket: A handball player from Salam Club in Al-Awamiyah, executed on April 23, 2019, after being arrested for participating in pro-democracy protests.
- 2. Maki Ali Al-Arid: A handball player and sports journalist, killed under torture at the Al-Awamiyah Police Station on March 2, 2016.
- 3. Hussain Abdulaziz Al-Rabah: A bodybuilder from Al-Awamiyah, killed under torture in Dammam's Mabahith Prison in November 2019.
- 4. Jaafar Hassan Al-Mubaireek: A gymnastics champion from Al-Ibtisam Club in Qatif, killed on July 21, 2017, during a shooting incident.
- 5. Zuhair Abdullah Al-Saeed: An esports player from Al-Awamiyah, shot dead while filming a protest in 2011.
- 6. Ali Hussain Al-Felfel: A sports activist from Qatif, killed during 2011 protests.
- 7. Akbar Hassan Al-Shakhouri: A football player and runner from Al-Awamiyah, killed during the 2011 protests.
- 8. Abdulmajeed Hassan Al-Nimr: A football player from Al-Awamiyah, executed on fabricated charges in 2018.
Athletes at Risk:
- 1. Ali Jaafar Al-Maibouk: A cyclist from Al-Awamiyah, detained since 2018 and facing the threat of execution.
- 2. Mohammed Issa Al-Labbad: A handball player from Al-Awamiyah, detained and under threat of execution.
- 3. Zakariya Khalid Al-Faraj: A football player from Al-Awamiyah, detained, with his fate unknown.
- 4. Abdullah Naim Al-Mohsen: A football player from Al-Awamiyah, detained, with his fate unknown.
- 5. Hussain Ali Awker: A football player from Al-Awamiyah, detained, with his fate unknown.
- 6. Jaafar Mohammed Al-Salmi: A football and esports player from Al-Awamiyah, detained, with his fate unknown.
- 7. Hussain Ali Tarmookh: A sports coach from Al-Awamiyah, detained, with his fate unknown.
These athletes have been tortured and killed due to their participation in protests or their activities. As Saudi Arabia continues its repressive policies, granting it the opportunity to host a major sporting event like the FIFA Men’s World Cup constitutes complicity and disregard for these violations. It also contributes to efforts to whitewash its image on the global stage.
Exploiting United Nations Platforms:
In October 2024, Saudi Arabia failed to secure a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council after losing the vote among member states. The Asia-Pacific group was the only regional group with competition, as six candidates vied for five seats, with Saudi Arabia losing out.
This loss dealt a blow to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reshape its image and signaled a clear failure in its attempts to whitewash its human rights record. This marks the second such setback within four years, following its previous unsuccessful bid for membership in the 47-member council.
The year 2024 also saw an escalation in Saudi Arabia’s image-laundering efforts, with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) serving as a key opportunity. In January 2024, Saudi Arabia underwent its fourth UPR cycle, with Hala Al-Tuwaijri, head of the official Human Rights Commission, participating in the review. Al-Tuwaijri praised the UPR as an effective mechanism of the Human Rights Council aimed at improving global human rights based on principles of equality, inclusivity, cooperation, and dialogue.
Al-Tuwaijri claimed that her government demonstrated "the highest levels of cooperation and seriousness" in engaging with the UPR mechanism, citing timely submission of national reports, the establishment of a functional national mechanism to follow up on recommendations, stakeholder engagement, and the inclusion of high-level representatives from various sectors in its delegations. She stated that Saudi Arabia had implemented 85% of the 450 recommendations it had received, though the Human Rights Commission relies on official evaluations and non-independent information to assess implementation progress.
Later, in July 2024, Saudi Arabia reported to the UPR Working Group that it had supported 83% of the recommendations made by UN member states during the most recent cycle, asserting that it had implemented over 85% of recommendations from previous cycles.
According to fact-tracking, the recommendations accepted by Saudi Arabia only partially address issues related to the death penalty and amendments to anti-terrorism laws, despite these being among the most deteriorated aspects of human rights in the country. Additionally, partial support for some recommendations includes disclaimers that undermine binding commitments. For example, Saudi Arabia supported a recommendation to reduce the number of crimes punishable by death and limit them to the most serious offenses in accordance with international law. However, it noted its reservation regarding the request for an official moratorium on the death penalty for drug-related offenses.
Similarly, its partial support for a recommendation to align anti-terrorism legislation with international human rights standards included a disclaimer rejecting the portion related to freedom of assembly. Saudi Arabia argued that this falls outside its obligations, claiming that legal restrictions are permissible on certain rights and freedoms to protect higher interests.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia only partially accepted recommendations regarding ratifying international instruments, such as the two International Covenants, and approving requests for visits by special rapporteurs. This comes despite long-standing ignored visit requests from rapporteurs. In cases where visits were accepted, violations were documented, including experts’ restricted access to information and independent entities. This reflects a clear deficiency in the implementation of treaties that Saudi Arabia has previously signed, such as the Convention Against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Beyond the Universal Periodic Review, Saudi Arabia has exploited other international platforms to promote alleged reforms and obscure the facts. In February 2024, Saudi Arabia repeated its claims regarding human rights and cooperation with international mechanisms. Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan stated during the high-level meeting of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council that Saudi Arabia approaches human rights from a comprehensive perspective focused on protecting individuals and society while improving quality of life.
During the interactive dialogue on the report of the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council in July, Mutab Al-Khalfi, a member of the official delegation in Geneva, claimed that the past few years have witnessed extensive reforms in Saudi Arabia, with women's rights receiving the largest share of these changes.
The intervention highlighted the issuance and amendment of numerous laws and regulations aimed at ensuring women enjoy their rights equally with men. However, it did not address the extent or effectiveness of implementing these laws and changes, nor whether all women can benefit from them. This is particularly concerning given the widespread violations against women that have become more evident in recent years, including arbitrary detention, torture, and mistreatment in prisons.
In the same context, Hala Al-Tuwaijri, head of the Human Rights Commission, participated in the session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in October 2024. She claimed there was a "positive systematic change" in Saudi Arabia's approach to women's rights, attributing it to the political will of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Al-Tuwaijri praised the changes while discussing Saudi Arabia's commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which the country had joined. However, these claims came against the backdrop of a doubling in the number of women executed and the ongoing violations against women human rights defenders.
In November, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held its 114th session in Geneva, during which it reviewed Saudi Arabia’s commitments under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the country joined in 1997. Saudi Arabia used the session to promote its narrative, with its delegation repeating previous claims regarding the issues under discussion.
Regarding the empowerment of migrant workers, the delegation claimed that the sponsorship system (kafala) had been abolished and that employer-employee relationships are now regulated through legal contracts. They also pointed to the establishment of shelters to protect domestic workers who are victims of abuse and to ensure their legal rights. However, the response failed to address the exceptions to the abolition of the sponsorship system and did not adequately answer questions about the effectiveness of the shelters.
International criticism:
Despite its relentless efforts to prevent facts from reaching foreign governments and international bodies, and despite its image-washing campaigns, Saudi Arabia has faced numerous criticisms. During sessions of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Austria urged Saudi Arabia to stop the inhumane death penalty, while Denmark’s representative expressed concern over the erosion of civil space and freedom of expression. Furthermore, the European Union condemned recent executions in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
United Nations Special Rapporteurs also expressed concern over Saudi Arabia's extensive campaign against human rights defenders and social media users, particularly through monitoring their social media accounts. In a letter sent to Saudi Arabia in March 2024, signed by the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the Working Group on discrimination against women, experts highlighted ongoing judicial and administrative harassment and criminalization of human rights defenders, including Loujain al-Hathloul, who remains banned from travel, and Maryam al-Otaibi, who was charged and sentenced under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law for exercising her right to freedom of opinion and expression.
The experts drew the attention of the Saudi government to the information they received regarding the ongoing judicial and administrative harassment and criminalization of human rights defenders, including Loujain Al-Hathloul, who is banned from travel, and Maryam Al-Otaibi, who has been charged and convicted under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law in relation to her exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
In July 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities deemed Saudi Arabia's prolonged solitary confinement of cleric Safar al-Hawali, without trial and without proper accommodations for his disability, as a serious violation. The committee had received information regarding al-Hawali’s arrest in 2018 after criticizing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and sent a letter to the Saudi government, issuing its opinion in May 2024 after reviewing the information and the government’s response.
Additionally, the United Nations Secretary-General’s report on the death penalty held Saudi Arabia, along with other Middle Eastern countries, responsible for the sharp increase in executions globally, which rose by 59% in 2022 compared to 2021. Saudi Arabia alone accounted for 24% of these executions.
In September 2024, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk noted that while there was a global trend toward abolishing the death penalty, there was a significant increase in executions in a few countries, including Saudi Arabia.
In October 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion declaring that the detention of Saud al-Faraj violated international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and deemed it arbitrary. The group stated that the appropriate remedy in this case was his immediate release and compensation. It also urged the Saudi government to ensure full independence in investigating the circumstances of his arbitrary detention and to take appropriate measures against those responsible for violating his rights. The group also called on Saudi Arabia to align its laws, particularly the Anti-Terrorism and Financing Law, with international recommendations.
Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society:
Saudi Arabia officially rejected recommendations from countries during the 2024 Universal Periodic Review to release detained human rights defenders, lift the travel bans imposed on them, and refrain from taking retaliatory actions against them. While Saudi Arabia attempts to promote its cooperation with the review mechanism and accepts most of the recommendations, its rejection of calls regarding defenders is an implicit acknowledgment of its intention to criminalize such activities.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia continued the practice of enforced disappearance of human rights defenders until November, when it briefly allowed Mohammed al-Qahtani to contact his family. Information indicated that mistreatment and continued detention led both al-Qahtani and Isa al-Nakhifi to go on hunger strikes multiple times, which caused their health conditions to deteriorate.
Additionally, the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights received information from inside the prison indicating that lawyer and activist Walid Abulkhair faced harassment and violations, including deliberate medical neglect and being targeted by other inmates. Abulkhair is serving a 15-year prison sentence, having spent 10 years of it as of April. During these years, he has been subjected to severe violations, leading him to declare hunger strikes multiple times.
Regarding violations in prisons, on April 14, 2024, activist Manahil al-Otaibi was finally able to contact her family after being forcibly disappeared since November 2023. She informed them that she was being held in solitary confinement in Al-Malaz Prison in Riyadh and that her leg was broken due to the physical assault she endured. She also stated that she was being denied medical visits.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia continued to ignore repeated demands to lift travel bans on women human rights defenders who had been released, including Loujain al-Hathloul.
Regarding human rights organizations and associations, the European Saudi Organization tracked the continued prohibition of establishing and operating any civil society organization. Despite Saudi Arabia’s promotion of its non-governmental organization system, it has not accepted any registration requests for independent human rights organizations. The official Human Rights Commission and the National Society for Human Rights have become the only bodies handling human rights issues domestically.
Freedom of opinion and expression:
Saudi Arabia continued to use the specialized terrorism court to suppress and criminalize freedom of opinion and expression. In October 2024, the court sentenced cartoonist Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Eid Al-Haza' Al-Ghamdi to 23 years in prison for his cartoons, following a retrial in a closed session.
The charges against Al-Ghamdi, who was arrested on February 13, 2018, include "communicating with individuals hostile to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and "producing, preparing, and sending materials that could harm public order by sharing them on social media." He was also accused of violating Saudi Arabia's boycott policies, which were imposed in 2017 by Saudi Arabia and several of its allies.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia launched a crackdown against Twitter users and activists, charging them with offenses related to old posts from several years ago. In July, writer and producer Abdulaziz Al-Mazini was sentenced to 13 years in prison and banned from traveling for an additional 13 years after being accused of promoting terrorism through his animated series "Masameer" aired on Netflix. Additionally, television presenter Hatim Al-Najjar was arrested in January 2024 following a campaign against him on social media over old tweets.
Women’s rights
The reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz has been one of the most tumultuous in terms of women's rights, with the country witnessing unprecedented violations. In 2024, arrests of women continued, with reports indicating that at least 51 women remain in Saudi prisons. Eight of them were sentenced to long terms ranging from 26 to 99 years, including imprisonment and travel bans. Among these cases, the case of activist Salma al-Shehab stands out, as she was supposed to be released in December 2024 after serving her sentence, according to information, but the Saudi authorities did not release her for unknown reasons.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia continues to use travel bans as a punitive measure against activists, despite international calls to stop this practice. UN special rapporteurs have called for the cessation of the travel ban penalty, which is considered one of the most severe human rights violations.
Regarding the death penalty, Saudi Arabia executed 9 women in 2024 from various nationalities, 5 of whom were not charged with the most serious offenses under international law. With this, the number of women executed during King Salman's reign reaches 36, with an unknown number of women currently on death row in Saudi prisons on various charges. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women has called for the cessation of executions of women, especially in cases that do not involve the most serious crimes under international law, such as drug-related offenses.
Religious Rituals:
The Hajj and Umrah seasons in Saudi Arabia are among the most significant religious tourism events in the country. Official propaganda obscures serious violations that have intensified in recent years, causing many Muslims to fear performing these religious duties.
In the 2024 season, over 1,100 people from more than 20 countries died, with temperatures rising to over 50°C. Disturbing footage shared on social media showed pilgrims collapsing on the road. It is believed that many of those who died were not officially registered, and therefore could not reach the tents. The lack of transparency in the official handling of the situation worsened the scale of the disaster, as there were no serious accountability measures for those responsible.
In addition to the Hajj disaster, the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights reported the arrest of several pilgrims and Umrah performers in 2024. At the start of the 2024 Hajj season, there were reports of the arrest of several Iraqi nationals, including political analyst Imad Al-Musafer, without charges being pressed. After a few days, the head of the Iraqi Hajj and Umrah Authority, Sami Al-Masoudi, confirmed the arrests of Iraqi citizens, explaining that the reason for the arrests was related to Saudi regulations "on organizing the Hajj, including political slogans, online posts, and political publications." Thus, the reason for the arrests was the chanting or publication of political phrases.
Additionally, a number of other arrests were documented, including the arrest of Turkish parliamentarian Hasan Turan during Hajj for wearing a Palestinian scarf, and the arrest of Iraqi academic Salman Dawood Al-Sabbawi while in Mecca for Umrah. Furthermore, Saudi authorities arrested Egyptian pilgrim and lawyer Islam Sobhi after a video of him speaking about the catastrophic conditions faced by pilgrims circulated from a hospital in Mecca.
Labor rights:
Foreigners account for more than 40% of the population in Saudi Arabia, most of them being workers. Reports and monitoring confirm that workers are still subjected to numerous violations. Despite Saudi Arabia claiming to have abolished the sponsorship system, which was described by legal experts as a form of modern slavery, its effects are still felt on the ground, with millions of workers, particularly from vulnerable groups such as domestic workers, drivers, farmers, gardeners, and security guards, being excluded from recent legal changes. According to statistics, over 3 million workers are still subject to the sponsorship system, which places mandatory guardianship over foreign workers by a Saudi national, leading to severe violations, including forced labor, mistreatment, and others. لنظام الكفالة الذي يضع وصاية إلزامية لمواطن سعودي على العامل الأجنبي، ما يؤدي إلى انتهاكات جسيمة بما في ذلك العمل الجبري وسوء المعاملة وغيرها.
According to the organization's monitoring, foreigners made up 31% of total executions, with 38 foreign nationals being executed in 2023, representing 22% of total executions. The nationalities of those executed are as follows: Egyptian: 17, Syrian: 16, Yemeni: 27, Ethiopian: 8, Sudanese: 3, Nigerian: 14, Indian: 3, Pakistani: 25, Sri Lankan: 1, Jordanian: 17, Afghan: 3, Filipino: 1, Bangladeshi: 1, Eritrean: 1, Kenyan: 1.
The rise in the number of foreigners executed comes amidst growing concerns that foreign workers in Saudi Arabia are vulnerable to horrific violations, including human trafficking. As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the World Cup, fears are increasing that these violations may worsen, particularly with workers who will be involved in constructing the facilities and infrastructure required for this global event.
The organization has documented cases where Saudi Arabia violated international labor laws, including the Forced Labor Convention, which Saudi Arabia has signed, such as the case of Ahmad Abdul Majid, an Indian worker who spent four decades in Saudi Arabia working for the "Seera" travel company. With the administrative changes in the company following the "Anti-Corruption" campaign led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his control over it, he was subjected to a series of violations, including the withdrawal of his passport, preventing him from returning to his home country, and forcing him to work without pay to repay debts unrelated to him.
Death Penalty:
The year 2024 marked a stain in Saudi Arabia's history regarding the death penalty, as 345 executions were carried out, according to the Ministry of Interior, a record number. This represents an increase of over 100% compared to the previous year. The expansion in the implementation of the death penalty coincided with an expansion in the charges and categories it covered, including a doubling of the number of women executed, an increase in the number of foreigners, and dozens of executions on charges of treason, in addition to the execution of individuals accused in drug-related cases.
Minors:
Saudi Arabia continued to threaten the lives of 9 minors with execution. Among them, 8 were tried in the Specialized Criminal Court for terrorism charges, which are not among the most serious under international law: Abdullah al-Durazi, Jalal al-Bad, Yusuf al-Manasif, Ali al-Maibouk, Hassan Zaki al-Faraj, Ali Hassan al-Sebaiti, Jawad Qarirss, and Mahdi al-Mohsen. The minor Abdullah al-Huwaiti was sentenced to death by retribution for an offense he committed when he was 14 years old.
A study by the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights revealed that Jaber Zuhair al-Marahon, one of the victims of the April 2019 execution, had been placed in a juvenile detention center when he was arrested. According to information the organization was able to trace, al-Marahon was arrested along with others on February 27, 2014, and placed in the juvenile prison when he was 17 years old.
This analysis confirms that the number of minors executed or currently threatened with execution is inaccurate, as manipulation by the Saudi government and the lack of transparency in handling the case file create uncertainty. This is compounded by Saudi Arabia's continued violation of its domestic laws that prohibit the execution of minors and its international obligations, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Political Charges:
On January 30, 2024, Saudi Arabia executed Aoun Hassan Abu Abdullah. The Ministry of Interior's statement indicated that Abu Abdullah was accused of joining a terrorist cell aimed at disrupting the security of the kingdom, destabilizing society, targeting security forces, and participating in the manufacturing of explosives and financing terrorism. The statement clarifies that Abu Abdullah was not charged with premeditated murder, suggesting the use of vague charges that do not specify the alleged crime.
On February 10, 2024, the Saudi News Agency published a statement from the Ministry of Interior announcing the execution of Hassan bin Thabit Al-Hazwaber. The statement did not specify the type of execution, although it is likely to have been discretionary. According to the statement, the charge faced by Al-Hazwaber was harboring one of the deceased terrorists, communicating with him, and meeting with him while being aware of his criminal plans. The statement confirms that the accused did not face the most serious charges under international law, which are specifically murder charges. Additionally, the statement began with a vague description of the alleged crime, stating that he committed a "dangerous crime threatening national security."
On June 24, 2024, the Ministry of Interior announced the execution of Abdullah bin Ali Al-Muhaishi by the punishment of "Hadd al-Hirabah" (the legal punishment for banditry or terrorism) in the Eastern Province. This was the first execution under "Hadd al-Hirabah" for a detainee from the Qatif events, continuing a pattern of misleading and manipulating the situation despite promises to limit death sentences not supported by Islamic law, and criticisms of discretionary death sentences based on the judge's discretion.
On August 17, 2024, the Saudi News Agency published a statement from the Ministry of Interior announcing the execution of Abdulmajid bin Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Nimr. The statement did not mention the type of sentence carried out, but it was likely a discretionary sentence since it was issued by the Specialized Criminal Court. The Ministry of Interior stated that Al-Nimr was accused of joining a cell affiliated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization, despite his belonging to the Shia sect. The indictment document indicates that the charges faced by Al-Nimr closely resemble those frequently brought against individuals sentenced in connection with the events in the Qatif governorate, and it does not show the charge of belonging to Al-Qaeda as stated by the Ministry of Interior. This is seen as a clear distortion of the truth.
In 2024, Saudi Arabia carried out 31 death sentences on charges of vague treason after trials before the Specialized Criminal Court. These death sentences in treason cases represent 14% of the total executions in 2024. This alarming increase in the use of the treason charge adds to numerous indicators and questions about the legitimacy of these trials and their conditions. The treason charge is considered one of the ambiguous political charges that lack transparency and human rights monitoring, making it a potential tool for furthering repression and executions.
Currently, dozens of individuals still face death sentences before the Specialized Criminal Court in political cases and cases related to freedom of expression, including 8 minors. Additionally, Saudi Arabia continues to delay the trial of religious figures and researchers for whom the Public Prosecution has been seeking the death penalty since 2018.
Drugs:
On May 11, 2024, Saudi Arabia executed two Syrian nationals on charges related to drugs. The last execution for drug-related charges was carried out in August 2023.
In August 2024, ESOHR received information indicating tensions at the Tabuk General Prison, which has witnessed a number of executions for drug-related charges since the beginning of the year.
ESOHR documented shared violations faced by many death row inmates in drug-related cases, particularly those of Egyptian nationality, at Tabuk Prison, with more than thirty individuals affected. These violations included the absence of any involvement from the Egyptian consulate or embassy in their cases, denial of their right to adequate defense, failure to appoint lawyers for them, lack of serious consideration of their defenses in court, as well as torture and mistreatment.
The issue of executing detainees for drug-related charges is one of the most significant files highlighting the arbitrariness and inconsistency of Saudi Arabia’s actions, as well as the lack of trust in the official promises and reforms that have been promoted in recent years. In January 2021, the Saudi Human Rights Commission issued a statement saying that the suspension of death penalties in drug cases, which began in January 2020, was intended to give detainees accused of non-violent crimes a second chance. Additionally, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed in March 2022 that the death penalty would be limited to murder crimes. Despite this, Saudi Arabia resumed executions for drug-related charges in November 2022. In 2024, the country recorded a record number of executions, with 122 carried out compared to two in 2023. Furthermore, the organization reported executions of 15 individuals solely on charges related to hashish, while two of them were charged only with trafficking it, indicating an expansion in the substances and charges involved.
Conclusion:
In his comments on Saudi Arabia being granted the right to host the men’s World Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that 2024 represents "the midpoint towards achieving the goals and ambitions of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030," highlighting that this year is part of the transformation journey aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s position on the global stage.
ESOHR views the "midpoint" mentioned by bin Salman as, in reality, a bloody year marked by an unprecedented rise in executions, breaking records, and completely undermining previous reform promises.
This situation reflects a troubling image for the years to come and raises numerous questions about the direction Saudi Arabia is heading. While Saudi Arabia promotes its sports successes within the context of its economic and developmental vision, it blatantly ignores its human rights record, raising doubts about the alignment of these ambitions with the current reality.
While bin Salman announces the importance of the sports sector as a tool for growth and development, the reality within the country reveals harsh treatment of athletes and fans, who face arbitrary arrests for expressing their opinions or simply being part of the crowd.
Moreover, with the increase in arbitrary arrests of visitors, particularly Umrah pilgrims and Hajj attendees, what guarantees are there for the safety and security of international fans expected to attend these major events in the future?
The organization considers the reality of these violations to be an argument against the countries and entities that contribute to hiding the truth or covering up these violations. Instead of standing with the victims, those supporting Saudi Arabia's attempts at image laundering are only increasing the number of victims and erasing their stories.