Saudi Arabia has reached a grim milestone, executing 198 people in 2024, the highest number in over three decades.
According to Amnesty International, this surpasses previous records of 196 in 2022 and 192 in 1995.
The Gulf monarchy now ranks third in the world for executions, after China and Iran.
The executions this year include 32 people convicted of terrorism-related offenses and 52 for drug-related offenses.
This sharp increase has sparked concerns from human rights groups, with Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve stating that Saudi Arabia has abandoned its promises of reform on the death penalty.
Riyadh claims the death penalty is necessary for “maintaining public order” and only carries out sentences after defendants have exhausted all litigation levels.
However, this contradicts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 statement that the kingdom had eliminated the death penalty, except for murder cases or threats to many lives.
The surge in executions, particularly for drug-related offenses, raises fears for those on death row.
The international community is calling for Saudi Arabia to reconsider its use of the death penalty and prioritize human rights and justice reforms.
