Saudi Arabia has executed a record-breaking number of prisoners in 2024, reaching a staggering 198 executions. This grim milestone marks the highest number of executions in over three decades, according to an AFP tally. The Gulf monarchy has consistently ranked among the world’s top executioners, and in 2023, it held the third-highest execution rate globally, trailing only China and Iran. This surpasses previous highs, including 196 executions in 2022 and 192 in 1995. Amnesty International, the London-based human rights organization, has been recording this data since 1990 and highlights the alarming trend of increased capital punishment in the kingdom. The recent surge in executions raises serious concerns about the ongoing human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.
