UN Human Rights Briefing on Saudi Arabia
/
1:38
/
MP4
/
236.2 MB

Edited News | OHCHR

Bi-Weekly Press Briefing: UN Human Rights Briefing on Saudi Arabia

“Over the last two weeks executions have been taking place almost daily in Saudi Arabia after the authorities ended a 21-month unofficial moratorium on the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences,” Throssell said.

“Since 10 November, 17 men have been executed for what are termed drug and contraband offences – the latest three executions on Monday. Those executed to date are four Syrians, three Pakistanis, three Jordanians, and seven Saudis,” she added.

“As executions are only confirmed after they take place in Saudi Arabia, we do not have any information as to how many people may be on death row. However, according to some reports we have received, a Jordanian man, Hussein abo al-Kheir, may be at risk of imminent execution,” the spokesperson said.

Throssell said al-Kheir’s case had previously been taken up by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which found that his detention was arbitrary because it lacked a legal basis and there were grave concerns relating to his right to a fair trial.

“We urge the Saudi Government to halt al-Kheir’s reported imminent execution and to comply with the Working Group’s opinion by quashing his death sentence, releasing him immediately and unconditionally, and by ensuring that he receives medical care, compensation and other reparations,” she stated.

The resumption of executions for drug-related offences in Saudi Arabia is a deeply regrettable step, all the more so coming just days after a wide majority of States in the UN General Assembly called for a moratorium on the death penalty worldwide.

“Imposing the death penalty for drug offences is incompatible with international norms and standards,” she stated.

The UN Human Rights Office calls on the Saudi authorities to adopt a formal moratorium on executions for drug-related offences, to commute death sentences for drug-related offences, and to ensure the right to a fair trial for all defendants, including those charged with such offences, in line with its international obligations.

For more information and media requests, please contact:

In Geneva:

Liz Throssell – + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or

Marta Hurtado – + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org or

Jeremy Laurence – +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

In Nairobi:

Seif Magango – +254 788 343 897 / seif.magango@un.org

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights

  1. Exterior shot: Alley of flags Palais des Nations
  2. Interior shot: wide shot Briefing room podium
  3. UN Human Rights spokesperson spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell (OHCHR): “Over the last two weeks executions have been taking place almost daily in Saudi Arabia after the authorities ended a 21-month unofficial moratorium on the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences.”
  4. Cut Away: Briefing room podium
  5. UN Human Rights spokesperson spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell (OHCHR): “Since 10 November, 17 men have been executed for what are termed drug and contraband offences – the latest three executions on Monday. Those executed to date are four Syrians, three Pakistanis, three Jordanians, and seven Saudis.”
  6. Cut Away: Briefing room journalist
  7. UN Human Rights spokesperson spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell (OHCHR): “As executions are only confirmed after they take place in Saudi Arabia, we do not have any information as to how many people may be on death row. However, according to some reports we have received, a Jordanian man, Hussein abo al-Kheir, may be at risk of imminent execution.”
  8. Cut Away: Briefing room participants
  9. UN Human Rights spokesperson spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell (OHCHR): We urge the Saudi Government to halt al-Kheir’s reported imminent execution and to comply with the Working Group’s opinion by quashing his death sentence, releasing him immediately and unconditionally, and by ensuring that he receives medical care, compensation and other reparations.”
  10. Cut Away: Briefing room podium
  11. UN Human Rights spokesperson spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell (OHCHR): “Imposing the death penalty for drug offences is incompatible with international norms and standards.”

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on escalating gang violence  in Haiti

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on escalating gang violence in Haiti ENG FRA

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN Human Rights Office have today released a report detailing the evolution of violent gang incidents beyond the capital Port-au-Prince since October 2024 up to June 2025, and the resulting loss of life and mass displacement. 

Gaza Deir Al Balah killings OHCHR - WHO 11 July 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Gaza Deir Al Balah killings OHCHR - WHO 11 July 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: ‘Unacceptable’ choice between getting shot or getting fed – UN humanitarians 

Following the deaths of several children in an Israeli strike on Palestinians waiting in line for nutritional supplements in central Gaza on Thursday, UN humanitarians have once again condemned the killings of people at aid distribution sites in the enclave. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya ENG FRA

At the United Nations bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights made the following comments on the recent violence in Kenya.

US tariffs impact - ITC

1

1

1

Edited News | ITC

US tariffs impact - ITC ENG FRA

US tariffs uncertainty hurts world economy, with poorest countries hit hardest – top UN economist

A new US decision to further delay the end of a 90-day pause on tariffs is bad for business, a top UN economist said on Tuesday.

Gaza aid site casualties WHO - OHCHR 04 JULY 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Gaza aid site casualties WHO - OHCHR 04 JULY 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza aid site horror continues as more starving people shot trying to get food

Amid intensifying hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, UN humanitarians confirmed disturbing details on Friday of continued killings and injuries of Palestinians desperately seeking food at aid sites.

Iran update - UN Resident Coordinator

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA

Iran update - UN Resident Coordinator ENG FRA

A clearer picture of needs across Iran is beginning to emerge after the conflict this month with Israel, which left hundreds dead, several hospitals hit and a spike in Afghan refugees returning home, the UN’s top official in Tehran said on Tuesday.

Heatwave update - WMO

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Heatwave update - WMO ENG FRA

The blistering early-summer heatwave that’s brought life-threatening temperatures across much of the northern hemisphere is a worrying sign of things to come, UN weather experts said on Tuesday. 

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change ENG FRA

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk made the following remarks to the Human Rights Council annual panel on adverse impacts of climate change.

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | WHO

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

The first meagre midweek delivery of urgently needed medical goods to enter Gaza in months will provide scant relief to the enclave’s people, who continue to be shot and killed as they search for food, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025

2

1

2

Statements , Edited News | HRC

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on Myanmar presented by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and oral update by Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNOG

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025 ENG FRA

The conflict-impacted people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) urgently need much more international assistance than they are getting today, the UN’s top aid official said on Thursday.

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNOG

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025 ENG FRA

Violence in Myanmar is spiralling as the military junta increases its attacks on monasteries, schools and camps sheltering people uprooted by the civil war, a top independent human rights investigator warned on Wednesday.