In an election set for October 9, 2024, Saudi Arabia will be attempting to regain its place on the 47-member UN Human Rights Council, after losing out in 2020.
Human rights organizations are drawing attention to the fact that the monarchy has executed more people in 2024 than any other year before, and this is an important factor to consider when voting for representatives to an organization like the United Nations, whose stated goal is the "promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe."
Saudi Arabia’s terrible human rights’ records include limitations on freedom of speech and communication, repression of political opposition, amidst many others, all of which potentially disqualifies the country from consideration at the Human Rights Council. Why exactly might the kingdom of Saudi Arabia not be selected to join the UN Human Rights Council? Find out below.
Saudi Arabia Sets New Annual Executions Record
In 2020, the Saudi Human Rights Commission issued a statement in English stating that no one in Saudi Arabia will be executed for a crime committed as a minor, in accordance with the Royal Order of March 2020. However, the four years that followed seem to have shown that Saudi Arabia is still dedicated to the death penalty. The number of executions carried out by Riyadh between January and the beginning of October totals 206, dwarfing the total number of executions in 2022 by 10.
In addition to the murder of critics and the imprisonment of women's rights activists, Riyadh has been accused of executing countless Ethiopian migrants. A guiding principle of Vision2030, the revolutionary plan of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, is to build “a vibrant society in which all citizens can thrive and pursue their passions.” Unfortunately, not all their citizens have been able to thrive and pursue their passions.
Saudi Arabia, Others Candidacy Faces Potential Rejection
On the 9th of October, the United Nations General Assembly will choose 18 more Human Rights Council members to serve three-year terms starting in January 2025. Ethiopia, Qatar, and Thailand are also being considered for the candidacy, albeit under scrutiny. The 47-nation council will decide whether they are deserving of the membership in light of the grave concerns raised by their human rights records and execution statistics.
Saudi Arabia is unqualified to serve on the Human Rights Council, according to Louis Charbonneau, director of Human Rights Watch at the United Nations. He states that UN member states should repeat its 2020 rejection of Saudi Arabia's candidacy. He argues that no country should be granted membership in the United Nations' highest human rights body if its government commits crimes against humanity or comparable atrocities and guarantees impunity for the perpetrators.
Top Ten Countries With Death Penalty Executions
Several countries, including Saudi Arabia carry out death penalty executions which often sparks global debate surrounding capital punishment. They are as follows;
- China
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Vietnam
- USA
- Yemen.
- North Korea
Final Thoughts
As Saudi Arabia bids for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, its alarming record of executions raises serious concerns. With 206 executions reported in 2024 alone, the kingdom's commitment to human rights is questionable. Many countries are rethinking their support, considering the need for genuine respect for human rights in their representatives.
Experts urge a rejection of Saudi Arabia's candidacy, emphasizing that no nation should hold a position on the council if it violates basic human rights. The upcoming vote on October 9, 2024 will be crucial in deciding the future of human rights representation in the UN.