#ህዝበይ ዘይ ከም ኢድኻ ትበልዖ ስኢንኻ ብሎሚዶ ፅባሕ ይወግሕ ናበልኻ ወጋሕታ ይቅረና ዝብኣሰ መፂኡ ብዝብኢ ብጥሜት ህዝቢ ተወዲኡ 💔🥀💔

At least 65 Ethiopian migrants are at imminent risk of execution in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offenses. Saudi Arabia’s extensive use of the death penalty is intertwined with fundamental and systemic rights violations. The death sentences should be commuted and the death penalty abolished. hrw.org/news/2026/04/28/saud…

Ethiopian migrants facing execution in Saudi Arabia: What we know At least 65 Ethiopian migrants are at imminent risk of execution in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offences, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The cases have raised concerns among rights groups about the use of the death penalty for nonviolent crimes and the fairness of legal proceedings involving foreign nationals. Who are the people affected? HRW says many of those facing execution are Ethiopian migrants who travelled to Saudi Arabia in search of work or safety. Some are reported to have fled conflict, including the #TigrayGenocidalWar, and took migration routes through Yemen before entering Saudi Arabia. Rights groups say migrants on these routes are often vulnerable to exploitation, including coercion into transporting banned substances. What are they accused of? The individuals are accused of drug-related offences, including smuggling substances such as khat, a stimulant plant commonly used in parts of East Africa but banned in Saudi Arabia. According to HRW, some detainees said they were unaware the substance was illegal in Saudi Arabia, while others were allegedly forced to carry it. What concerns have been raised about the trials? HRW reports that several of the accused were convicted following proceedings that: •Did not provide access to legal representation •Lacked interpreters or translators •Relied on confessions detainees say were coerced •Offered limited or no opportunity to appeal The organisation says such conditions fall short of international standards for a fair trial. What does international law say? International human rights law restricts the use of the death penalty to the “most serious crimes”, generally understood to mean offences involving intentional killing. The United Nations and its expert bodies have stated that drug-related offences do not meet this threshold. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also said that imposing the death penalty in such cases is incompatible with international legal standards. How common are executions in Saudi Arabia? Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that continues to use capital punishment. According to publicly reported figures cited by HRW: •345 executions were carried out in 2024 •356 executions were carried out in 2025 A significant proportion were for nonlethal drug-related offences, including cases involving foreign nationals. What has happened recently? HRW reports that three Ethiopian nationals were executed on 21 April 2026. Sources cited by the organisation say detainees in prison were informed of the executions after being told the men had been taken for a court appearance. The reported executions have heightened fears among other detainees that further executions could take place soon. What are rights groups calling for? HRW is calling on Saudi authorities to: •Halt planned executions •Commute existing death sentences •Ensure fair retrials in line with international standards The organisation has also urged Saudi Arabia’s international partners to intervene. What role does Ethiopia have? HRW says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia should seek urgent consular access and support for detained Ethiopian nationals. Ensuring communication with detainees and monitoring legal proceedings are among the key concerns raised. Why does this matter? The case highlights broader issues around: •The use of the death penalty for nonviolent offences •Legal protections for migrants and foreign nationals •The application of international human rights standards With no confirmed timeline for further executions, rights groups say the situation remains urgent.