RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has executed 21 Pakistani nationals among a group of 100 foreign workers as part of a troubling surge in capital punishment for those convicted of serious crimes.
Rights organizations have reported that the number of executions this year is nearly three times higher than in the previous two years, which saw an average of 34 foreign executions annually. The most recent execution took place this past weekend in the Najran region, where a Yemeni national was put to death for drug smuggling. With this latest execution, the total number of foreign workers executed this year has risen to 101.
Read More: Saudi Arabia Criticizes Israel for Attacking Iran
Human rights groups have raised alarms over this sharp increase, with the European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) describing this year’s figures as a record high. The rise in the use of the death penalty has drawn criticism from various organizations globally.
As Saudi Arabia continues to modernize its image and attract international investment, it faces ongoing scrutiny for its human rights practices. In 2023, the country, with a population of around 37 million, was ranked as the third-highest executioner worldwide.
This year’s executions have included 21 Pakistanis, 20 Yemenis, 14 Syrians, and nationals from other countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and Jordan. Reports indicate that many of those convicted face dubious trials, with limited access to legal representation and court documents, leaving them more vulnerable to receiving the death penalty.
