As Saudi Arabia seeks a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, the country is facing widespread criticism for its record number of executions in 2024.
With at least 208 people executed so far, the kingdom has already surpassed the previous high of 196 executions in 2022—despite having nearly three months left in the year.
This alarming trend has raised concerns just days before the UN is set to decide whether to grant Saudi Arabia a position on the council, which is responsible for addressing global human rights violations.
A Rise in Executions Despite Pledges for Reform
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), who has ruled since 2015, initially pledged to reduce the country’s use of the death penalty.
However, since his reign began, there have been at least 1,447 executions, according to rights groups, who also suggest the actual numbers may be higher than reported.
Despite a 2020 moratorium on the death penalty for minor offenses, August 2024 saw a record monthly total of 41 executions, with 32 more occurring in September.
The kingdom’s use of capital punishment has drawn significant backlash, particularly as the UN General Assembly prepares to select 18 new Human Rights Council members.
Saudi Arabia is competing for one of five available seats in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside other nations like South Korea, Thailand, and Qatar.
Winning a seat would be a diplomatic victory for MBS as part of his broader Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to reshape the kingdom’s global image.
Vision 2030: Reforms Amid Human Rights Criticism
MBS’s Vision 2030, launched in 2016, is an ambitious plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy away from oil dependency and promote a more “vibrant society.”
The program has introduced reforms that have drawn global attention, such as lifting the ban on women driving and reopening public cinemas in 2018.
However, despite these changes, human rights organizations remain critical of the kingdom’s broader human rights record, pointing to incidents like the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, which remains shrouded in mystery.
More recent allegations have also surfaced, including reports from Human Rights Watch of hundreds of Ethiopian migrants being killed at the Yemen-Saudi border in 2022 and 2023.
Amnesty International continues to raise concerns about unlawful detentions and systemic discrimination against women in areas such as child custody cases.
Global Condemnation and Calls for Reform
Human rights groups have not been silent about the escalating use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard has harshly criticized the kingdom’s actions, accusing it of conducting a “relentless killing spree” while trying to portray itself as a forward-looking nation.
Callamard emphasized the need for Saudi authorities to implement an immediate moratorium on executions and hold fair retrials for those on death row, aligning with international legal standards.
Meanwhile, Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, echoed these sentiments, urging the UN to reject Saudi Arabia’s bid for a seat on the Human Rights Council.
He argued that governments responsible for crimes against humanity should not be rewarded with a place on the council.
What’s Next for Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia’s bid to join the UN Human Rights Council comes at a pivotal moment for the kingdom.
While MBS continues to champion his Vision 2030 reforms, the kingdom’s human rights record remains a significant barrier on the international stage.
If Saudi Arabia succeeds in securing a seat, it would represent a major diplomatic win for MBS, but it would also deepen the global conversation on whether the kingdom’s actions align with the values the council is meant to uphold.
The UN General Assembly’s vote in the coming days will determine whether Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reshape its image will be enough to overshadow its troubling human rights record.
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