Amnesty International has voiced strong opposition against the increasing use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, particularly condemning the executions for drug-related offenses. The human rights organization stressed the dire situation for foreign nationals who face capital punishment often after what are claimed to be unfair trials.

Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, criticized the Saudi approach, stating, “Saudi Arabia’s relentless and ruthless use of the death penalty after grossly unfair trials not only demonstrates a chilling disregard for human life; its application for drug-related offenses is also an egregious violation of international law and standards.”

According to a new report by Amnesty International, from January 2015 to June 2025, the official Saudi press agency recognized 1816 executions, with nearly a third related to drug offenses. A significant majority of those executed on drug charges were foreign nationals, primarily from Egypt, Ethiopia, and Jordan.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) argues that the death penalty should be reserved for the "most serious of crimes." Despite this, Saudi Arabia remains not a party to the ICCPR. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has defended the practice, citing religious texts as a basis for continuing capital punishment.

The report also highlights the additional hurdles faced by foreign nationals, including the lack of legal representation, inadequate consular support, and insufficient access to effective interpretation services. The study reveals that at least four of the 25 cases examined involved coercion through torture to obtain confessions.

Saudi Arabia, a signatory to the Convention against Torture since 1997, is obligated under international law to prevent acts of torture. However, Amnesty International’s findings suggest a troubling disregard for these commitments.

The organization has called upon the Saudi authorities to rethink their stance on the death penalty and urged the international community to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia to align with global human rights standards.