During the 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) that took place in Geneva between 27 February and 4 April 2023, several states drew attention to grave and ongoing human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, marking a gradual return of the kingdom to the HRC’s attention. 

On 22 March, during the HRC’s Item 4 General Debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, three states – Denmark, Norway and Switzerland – delivered oral statements on human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. Denmark condemned the authorities’ continued use of the death penalty and torture. Switzerland expressed concern at Saudi Arabia’s lifting of a short-lived moratorium on use of the death penalty for drug-related offences, and called on the authorities to reinstate the moratorium and limit use of the death penalty to only the most serious of crimes, in conformity with international law. Norway called on Saudi Arabia to fulfil its citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly. 

Saudi Arabia executed 148 people in 2022 – more than double the number in 2021 – of whom 81 were put to death on 12 March in the biggest mass execution in recent times. In addition, executions for drug-related offences resumed in November 2022 despite the previous announcement of a moratorium on use of the death penalty for such non-violent crimes. Meanwhile, the authorities ramped up their repression of freedom of expression, handing down a number of unprecedentedly long prison sentences for individuals exercising their right to free speech, as ALQST, Right Livelihood and MENA Rights Group highlighted in a joint oral statement to the HRC.

ALQST welcomes these interventions from member states that help to bring much-needed international attention back to Saudi Arabia’s dire record. States delivered three joint statements on Saudi Arabia between 2019 and 2020, yet since then, despite the authorities failing to address the various concerns raised, the international spotlight on the kingdom has faded, coinciding with a new wave of intense repression. 

In view of the worsening situation in Saudi Arabia, it is vital that the UN Human Rights Council enhances its scrutiny. We therefore reiterate our call on all member states for action to create a UN monitoring and reporting mechanism on human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.