Ethiopian migrants face death penalty in Saudi Arabia, human rights concerns rise

Saudi Arabia is facing mounting human rights concerns over its widespread use of the death penalty against Ethiopian migrants, with dozens reportedly on death row for non-violent drug offenses. Many of these migrants, often fleeing conflict and economic hardship in Ethiopia, claim they were unaware that substances like khat, which are legal in their home country, are illegal in Saudi Arabia. Human rights organizations indicate that at least 60 to 65 Ethiopians are at imminent risk of execution in prisons like Khamis Mushait, while other reports suggest the total number could be as high as 200 across various facilities.

The situation is exacerbated by allegations of severe due process violations, including reports of torture during interrogation, forced confessions, and a lack of access to legal representation or adequate translation services during trials. Detainees often sign documents they cannot read and are denied communication with consular officials, leading to convictions based on what human rights groups describe as fundamentally unfair proceedings. This pattern of injustice has led to a dramatic increase in executions of foreign nationals for non-lethal drug crimes in Saudi Arabia, prompting urgent calls from international bodies for intervention to halt further executions and ensure fair treatment for all those facing capital punishment.