Saudi Arabia has come under intense criticism for executing a staggering number of individuals, primarily foreign nationals, for non-violent drug offenses over the past decade. A recent report from Amnesty International reveals that nearly 600 people have been put to death since 2015 for drug-related crimes, with three-quarters of them coming from countries including Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Nigeria, and Egypt. Published on July 8, by Tom Levitt, the report condemns what Amnesty describes as a “horrifying” wave of capital punishments characterized by grossly unfair trials and a chilling disregard for human life.
The findings highlight a sharp escalation in executions following a brief moratorium on drug-related death penalties between 2021 and 2022. In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 122 individuals for drug offenses, with 118 executions recorded in the first half of 2025. Dana Ahmed, Amnesty’s Middle East researcher, stated to The Guardian, “We are witnessing a deeply alarming trend, with foreign nationals being executed at an unprecedented rate for crimes that should never warrant the death penalty.” She emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s geopolitical influence and ongoing regional conflicts have stifled international scrutiny, allowing these executions to continue largely unchallenged.
The report also exposes the exploitation of vulnerable foreign nationals, many of whom are lured into drug trafficking while seeking work abroad. Amnesty documented cases of individuals from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds with limited education who were deceived with minimal financial rewards. One notable case involves seven Ethiopians and a Somali man facing execution for trafficking 153 kilograms of cannabis, valued at approximately $3.8 million. Court records indicate they were promised just $267 each—a mere fraction of what their risk entailed. Such cases highlight the systemic exploitation of migrant workers.
Amnesty also uncovered serious flaws in Saudi Arabia’s judicial system. Foreign nationals often lack access to legal representation, consular assistance, or adequate interpretation services, hindering their ability to mount a fair defense. In at least four documented cases, individuals reported torture or ill-treatment during pre-trial detention to extract confessions. Many defendants remain uninformed about their appeal status or execution dates, with some being notified only a day before their execution. Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, condemned the death penalty as “the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment” and urged Saudi Arabia’s allies to call for an immediate halt to this execution spree.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s economic and political clout, which has muted global responses, Amnesty warns that the death toll will rise without urgent action. The organization calls for international condemnation of Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations and for reforms to align with global human rights standards. Saudi officials were contacted for comment but have not responded. As the kingdom continues its relentless execution campaign, the plight of foreign nationals on death row remains a critical humanitarian crisis demanding global attention.
Photo: Source, The Guardian