Saudi Arabia has surpassed 2,000 executions since King Salman assumed power in 2015, marking a significant escalation in the use of capital punishment over the past decade. This figure reflects a sharp and sustained increase compared to previous years, raising serious concerns about the scale and scope of its application.
Available data indicates that in the five years prior to 2015, Saudi Arabia carried out an average of 71 executions annually. In recent years, however, this rate has increased approximately fivefold, reaching 356 executions in 2025 and 345 in 2024. This rapid rise demonstrates a structural shift in the frequency with which the death penalty is imposed and implemented.
The nature of the cases leading to execution has also expanded. A substantial proportion of executions in recent years have been carried out for non-lethal offences, particularly drug-related charges. In addition, executions have been implemented under “terrorism” classifications, which are defined broadly and allow for the inclusion of non-violent activities, including forms of dissent.
Further documented cases indicate that executions have been carried out in connection with protest-related activities. For example, individuals have been executed following convictions linked to participation in demonstrations dating back to 2011. Reports also point to instances where convictions were based on confessions allegedly obtained under coercion, raising concerns about the reliability of judicial outcomes.
Recent developments also include the execution of individuals who were minors at the time of the alleged offences. This occurs despite the explicit prohibition under international human rights law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Saudi Arabia has ratified. Although authorities previously announced measures to restrict the use of the death penalty against juvenile offenders, documented cases indicate that such executions have continued.
In addition, a notable number of those executed in recent years have been foreign nationals, which raises further concerns regarding access to legal representation, due process protections, and the overall fairness of proceedings.
From a legal perspective, the use of the death penalty in cases that do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes”—defined under international law as those involving intentional killing—constitutes a violation of established international standards. The application of capital punishment in cases involving non-violent offences, political expression, or acts committed during childhood reflects a broader pattern of inconsistency with these legal obligations.
The expansion in both the number and categories of executions indicates a widening application of the death penalty beyond its internationally recognized limits. This trend raises serious concerns about its use not only as a criminal sanction but also in contexts that intersect with expression, protest, and broader civil rights.
Accordingly, Together for Justice considers this trajectory indicative of a significant departure from international human rights standards. The organization calls for an immediate moratorium on executions, a comprehensive review of cases that do not meet international legal thresholds, and independent investigations into violations associated with the use of capital punishment, with full accountability for those responsible.