Saudi execution of 81 people has raised concerns about the kingdom’s new round of backlash against citizens. The country has also put a released prisoner under a 10-year travel ban.
Saudi Arabia faces in wave of criticism over its human rights conducts on local dissidents and activists. As in previous cases, Riyadh has remained negligent towards the calls to reverse the recent policies.
The kingdom has executed 81 persons, among them were Saudi nationals along with people from Syria and Yemen. Affiliation with foreign terrorist organizations and “deviant beliefs” were among the allegations leveled against the victims. This is thought to be the greatest known mass Saudi execution in Saudi Arabia in recent decades.
The figure outnumbers the record in 2021 and is much more than the whole executions in 2020. Part of the group received convictions for a range of offenses, including the “murder of a men, women, and children,” local media claimed.
“Crimes committed by these individuals also include pledging allegiance to foreign terrorist organisations, such as ISIS, al-Qaeda and the Houthis,” a report by the administrative SPA news agency explained.
Human rights activists expressed concerns over the continuation of the practice by Riyadh in future months. To make it more intense, SPA report also asserted that the ruling system in Saudi Arabia will continue the backlash against what it described as “terrorism and extremist ideologies.”
37 citizens from Saudi Arabia were among the men who received a death penalty for a single charge. The group was allegedly aiming to murder security agents and attack police stations and military vehicles, according to authorities.
The latest large Saudi execution of dissidents in the kingdom took place six years ago. The monarchy executed 47 individuals then, including a famous Shiite opposition leader who had organized protests around the country.
Saudi Execution; Far from Over
A short look into the kingdom’s human rights record in recent years shows that there are roots to the global concerns. It was only three years ago that Riyadh executed 37 citizens on allegations similar to the latest execution. Using the archaic practice of beheading the victims made the 2019 mass execution more outstanding.
Another major development in recent years relates the murdering of Washington post journalist in Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Jamal Khashoggi, originally from Saudi Arabia, was a prominent critic of the kingdom’s human rights policies.
The murdering and dismembering of Khashoggi hit the headlines for several weeks across the world. Last year, Joe Biden administration published an investigation on the issue revealing Crown Prince’s direct role in the mission. Bin Salman rejected the charges, while facing worldwide criticism.
Saudi Arabia’s severe regulations on ideological and royal conduct have drawn widespread condemnation during the years. The death sentence, even for individuals caught under legal age of responsibility, has long been a source of controversy.
In a separate order, the country has put a former prisoner under a 10-year travel ban following his release. Raif Badawi, campaigner and freelance writer, has been behind the bars since 2012 on ambiguous charges. The blogger proved as emblem of free speech across the world.
Putting the convicted people under travel ban is a rare practice, mostly seen in Saudi Arabia. Bin Salman has tried to contain threats from royal family and activists like Loujain al-Hathloul by impeding their withdrawal.
Saudi execution of dissidents and minorities, along with other specific restriction, has remained active despite apparent social reforms. The kingdom has tried to save its global face authorizing some basic rights like driving for women. Under the ashes, there are old practices at work.
