Rights Groups Warn: 37 Ethiopians Face Imminent Execution in Saudi Arabia

In a troubling development that raises serious humanitarian concerns, at least 37 Ethiopian men currently face the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offenses. This alarming situation has been spotlighted in a joint statement released by a coalition of 31 civil society and human rights organizations. They have expressed trepidation over what they describe as an “imminent risk” of execution for countless foreign nationals within the Kingdom.

On June 17, 2025, the organizations declared they are “gravely fearful for the lives” of those detained, particularly focusing on Ethiopian, Somali, and Egyptian nationals. This concern stems from what they have termed a “dramatic surge” in executions related to non-lethal drug offenses. The statistics are stark: according to data sourced from the Saudi Press Agency, an astounding 98 individuals have been executed for drug-related offenses in 2025 alone, with the majority being foreign nationals.

The joint statement specifically highlights: “19 Somali and seven Ethiopian nationals have been publicly reported as executed this year, all for ‘smuggling hashish.’” Notably, just on June 16, three Ethiopian nationals lost their lives. The chilling reality is that many others continue to live in the shadow of execution, paralyzed by fear. The 37 Ethiopian men, alongside 27 Somali nationals, are confined on death row at Najran Central Prison in southwestern Saudi Arabia, while an additional group of 26 Egyptian nationals languishes in Tabuk Central Prison in the northern part of the country.

Signatories of this statement, including prominent organizations like Reprieve, ALQST for Human Rights, and the African Academy of Diplomacy, contend that many of these detainees are likely victims of human trafficking. They have allegedly been coerced or deceived into unwittingly transporting illicit substances. Shockingly, many of these individuals reportedly never received a fair chance to assert their innocence in court.

The organizations have shed light on what they describe as systemic violations of fair trial rights. Some of these alleged violations include the denial of legal representation, lack of consular support, and reliance on “torture-tainted confessions” as critical evidence in trials. Such practices not only raise ethical eyebrows but also breach both Saudi domestic laws and international obligations outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Arab Charter on Human Rights. One cannot help but question: how far are we willing to bend the rules of justice and humanity in pursuit of legal enforcement?

The joint appeal also cites recent remarks from the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, urging Saudi Arabia to halt all executions and abolish the death penalty for drug offenses. The rapporteur stated emphatically, “Violations of fair trial guarantees leading to the imposition of the death penalty render such sentences arbitrary and unlawful.” These assertions challenge the very foundation of justice and provoke a sense of moral responsibility among global leaders.

Beneath the stark legal implications lies a harrowing human story. The organizations have termed the methods of execution as “extreme cruelty.” Tragically, families are often left in the dark regarding execution dates; they frequently discover the deaths of their loved ones through news outlets. In a heart-wrenching twist, many families are left without the bodies for burial, and the final resting places of their loved ones remain undisclosed. How does one even begin to cope with such profound loss and unanswered questions?

Of the 154 executions reported in Saudi Arabia this year, a staggering 98 were related to drug offenses. Among these, 69 were foreign nationals. The chilling nature of these statistics invites the question: what is the cost of such punitive measures? Are they truly effective in combating drug trafficking, or do they simply mask deeper societal issues?

The organizations have voiced a clear call to action for the Saudi government: commute all death sentences for crimes that do not reach the international threshold of “most serious crimes.” They urge for a moratorium on executions and a thorough reevaluation of domestic legislation that permits the death penalty for offenses not involving intentional killing. This plea resonates far beyond legalities; it embodies a quest for humanity in a system that seems to have lost its moral compass.

A previous report by the BBC has also sounded alarm bells regarding the fate of Ethiopian nationals held in Najran Central Prison. Family members conveyed that prison officials hinted executions could take place “before the Eid al-Adha festival,” amplifying the anxiety and distress among those awaiting their loved ones’ fate. The report indicated that 47 Ethiopians had been sentenced to death, with some already executed, intensifying fears among detainees who remain uninformed about their possible execution dates.

As we navigate through this intricate web of law, human rights, and moral responsibility, let us not overlook the human lives at stake. These are not merely statistics; they are individuals with stories, families, and potential futures snuffed out by a process that many describe as draconian. How can we advocate for real change? How can we ensure that those in power remain accountable?

In closing, it is imperative that we advocate for a just and humane approach to tackling complex issues such as drug trafficking without compromising human dignity and rights. Can we envision a world where lives are valued, even amidst transgressions? Only time will tell.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International—Monitoring