Together for Justice Condemns the Escalating Use of Executions in Saudi Arabia and Calls for International Action

Together for Justice expresses its profound condemnation of the Saudi government’s continued use of the death penalty as a means of silencing dissent and reinforcing its authoritarian grip on power. The execution of Zafer bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Shihri on August 24, 2024, marks yet another case in the alarming escalation of state-sponsored violence under the guise of “justice.”

It is worth mentioning that this comes just days after the Saudi regime executed another man on August 13, 2024, for merely expressing his opinions on social media. The speed and frequency of these executions reflect a growing crisis in human rights that must be addressed immediately by the international community.

This disturbing pattern of executions is particularly troubling given the complete lack of fair trial standards in Saudi Arabia. The judicial system operates with blatant disregard for the basic tenets of justice and due process. Trials are often conducted in secret, and defendants are routinely denied access to legal counsel, depriving them of any meaningful defense.

Those who stand accused are frequently convicted based on “confessions” obtained through torture or coercion, making a mockery of justice. These unfair trials violate the most fundamental principles of international law, including the right to a fair trial as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Saudi Arabia is a signatory.

Equally concerning is the increasing use of executions as a tool to crush dissent and instill fear in those who dare to voice opposition. The Saudi government has shown a systematic willingness to target its own citizens—often for non-violent expressions of opinion—such as posting on social media.

In the case of the August 13 execution, the individual was condemned for nothing more than exercising his right to freedom of speech. These actions are not only a gross violation of human rights but are also emblematic of the lengths to which the regime will go to stifle any semblance of opposition or critique. The world cannot afford to ignore this calculated suppression of basic freedoms.

Moreover, the use of torture and forced confessions is rampant in the Saudi justice system. Prisoners are subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse, often held incommunicado for extended periods, and coerced into signing confessions to crimes they did not commit.

These confessions, extracted under torture, are then used to justify the death sentences handed down by the courts. The cruelty of these practices not only contravenes international human rights law, such as the Convention Against Torture, but also highlights the urgent need for global intervention to end these inhumane abuses.

Together for Justice calls upon the international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organizations, to take immediate and decisive action to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its continued violations of human rights.

Governments and policymakers worldwide must urgently pressure the Saudi authorities to put a halt to this wave of executions and ensure that no further deaths occur as a result of these gross miscarriages of justice. The world must also demand that Saudi Arabia institute reforms to its judicial system, including guarantees for fair trials, access to legal representation, and the abolition of forced confessions through torture.

The ongoing human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia cannot continue to be met with silence. The executions of individuals for exercising their basic freedoms represent an alarming trend toward state-sanctioned oppression that must be halted.

Together for Justice stands with the victims of these unjust executions and reiterates our commitment to advocating for their rights and dignity. It is time for the world to act decisively and demand accountability from the Saudi government before more innocent lives are lost.