Saudi Arabia has executed almost 600 people for drug-related crimes in the past 10 years, with most being foreign nationals from countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Yemen, and Syria. After pausing these executions between 2021 and 2022, the country resumed them at a record pace, 122 were carried out in 2024, and 118 more by mid-2025. Many of those executed were from poor backgrounds, lacked legal support, and were promised small amounts of money to smuggle drugs worth millions. Some reported being tortured to confess and having no access to proper translation or lawyers. Several prisoners were unaware of their appeal status and were only told of their execution a day in advance. The rising number of executions is seen as a serious human rights issue. International voices have called for pressure on Saudi Arabia to stop the executions and ensure fair treatment for all accused individuals.
Pray for Saudi Arabian lawmakers to annul the practice of death sentences. Pray for all the people to have access to the right to live and other rights and freedoms in the country (The Holy Bible, Proverbs 29:4).
Pray for the international community’s advocacy to abolish the practice of execution in Saudi Arabia. Pray for the individuals on death row, especially those imprisoned for non-violent offenses, to have hope and a future (The Holy Bible, Job 5:16).
News Source: The Guardian
Image Source: Canva
