The figures that have come out regarding death penalty in Saudi Arabia have surprised everyone. The cases of death penalty are continuously increasing here. Last year’s record of death penalty has been broken again this year. This year more death sentences have been given in Arabia than last year. Since then, the concern of human rights groups has increased.
According to BBC report, Britain’s campaign group Reprieve has given the information. It is said that about 347 people have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia this year. In 2024 this figure was 345. This is a bloody year of hangings. Those who have been sentenced to death this year include a journalist and two protesting youths.
Death penalty being given in drugs case
According to Reprieve, this type of punishment is being given because of deaths caused by drugs. Two-thirds of the people hanged this year are said to be involved in drug crimes. These include many foreign citizens. In a way, this is a campaign launched against drugs.
Zeid Basyouni, a representative associated with Reprieve and serving in North Africa including the Middle East, said that Saudi Arabia is making a mockery of the human rights system. Innocent and marginalized people of the society are getting trapped in these actions. 96 have been hanged in Hashish (charas) cases. The Human Rights Office has termed this case as tragic.
UN has demanded a ban on death penalty
Joy Shea, a researcher on Saudi Arabia for Human Rights Watch, has said that Mohammed bin Salman and his officials did not have to pay any price for these executions. The families of those who are being hanged are not being informed. He is also not giving information about the method of giving death penalty. There is also beheading or firing squad here. An appeal has also been made by the UN to ban the death penalty.
