Report

Saudi Arab: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is making many claims that he is changing Saudi Arabia but mercantile laws still exist in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries with the highest number of death sentences in the world. Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry on Thursday sentenced two people to death on charges of drug trafficking. So far this year, the number of death sentences in the country has reached 106.

Among those sentenced to death was a Saudi national, accused of amphetamine smuggling, and another was a Pakistani national, who was hanged in Mecca for heroin smuggling. In 2022, three years after abolishing the death penalty for drug-related crimes, the Saudi government has reintroduced capital punishment for the crime.

One hanging every two days

Last year, Saudi authorities hanged 172 people and this year the number of executions has reached 106 in just seven months. Last year this number was 74. The Berlin-based European-Saudi Human Rights Organization criticized Saudi Arabia on Monday, saying that one execution is being carried out almost every two days. The organization said in its statement, 100 executions in 196 days reflect the intention of the Saudi government to normalize the death penalty. Which is a violation of international law and its official commitments.

How many citizens of which country were hanged?

The 78 Saudi citizens executed this year include eight Yemenis, five Ethiopians, seven Pakistanis, three Syrians and one each from Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Jordan, India and Sudan. Two women were also hanged among these 78 people. Authorities believe that the executions are under Sharia law and necessary to maintain public order.

China and Iran are also not far behind

According to the report, last year, the highest number of people were hanged in Saudi Arabia after China and Iran. In 2023, about 1,000 people were hanged in China and 853 in Iran, while 172 people were hanged in Saudi Arabia last year. Saudi Arabia is usually known for beheading. In March 2022, 81 people were hanged in a single day in the country, after which Saudi faced condemnation from all over the world.

King Salman is running several projects to change the country's image and attract tourists and investors beyond oil exports. Such harsh punishments and neglect of human rights in the country can directly affect his Vision 2030.