The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights conducted a survey on the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. The survey was participated in by 115 individuals as a random sample after it was published in Arabic and English on the organization's social media platforms.
The percentage of female participants was 51.5% and male participants were 48.5%. The majority of participants were university graduates, comprising 75.3% based on educational attainment, followed by those with a high school diploma at 20.6%, and 4.1% were less educated. The majority of participants were between the ages of 20-30 years, accounting for 64.9%, followed by those aged 30-50 at 29.9%, and those over 60 years old at 5.2%. The participants were from various countries including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Canada, France, Indonesia, Pakistan, the United States, Switzerland, Britain, Romania, France, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen.
The survey reveals that despite the government-led propaganda in Saudi Arabia over the years and ongoing whitewashing campaigns, there is a general awareness of Saudi brutality in implementing the death penalty. However, there is less knowledge about the country's international responsibilities and commitments officially made in recent years, alongside the ambiguity of its laws.
According to the survey results, 72% of participants are aware that Saudi Arabia is among the top five countries in the world in terms of executing the death penalty. Additionally, the survey shows that 68% of participants know that death sentences in Saudi Arabia are not limited to murder crimes, and 82% are aware that they also encompass political charges. However, nearly half of the participants do not know whether executions are carried out for drug-related charges or not.
However, there are variations in understanding the laws on which Saudi Arabia bases its executions. 22.7% stated that executions are based on Islamic Sharia law, 17.5% on statutory laws, and 24% said they are based on judicial opinions.
Regarding discretionary punishments, 56.7% of participants said they know they are at the judge's discretion, while 19.6% believe they are punishments specified in Sharia law, and 23.7% think they are regulated penalties.
As for executions of minors, 34% of participants said a minor in Saudi Arabia is someone under the age of 15, while 59.8% said it is anyone under 18 years old, and 6.2% said they believe it is those under 21 years old. Additionally, 49.5% stated that Saudi Arabia does not comply with placing detained minors in specialized facilities, while 19.6% believe they do, and 30.9% are unsure.
The survey revealed that there is a general lack of awareness regarding Saudi Arabia's official commitments. Specifically, 39.2% of respondents are unsure whether Saudi Arabia is a party to the Convention against Torture, yet 80.4% are aware that Saudi Arabia practices torture to extract confessions. Additionally, more than half of the participants, approximately 53%, do not know whether Saudi Arabia is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, although 69% are aware that Saudi Arabia executes minors.
Regarding specific practices, 64% of participants are aware that Saudi Arabia denies detainees their right to appoint a lawyer, and the time until a lawyer is appointed depends on the judge's discretion according to 68% of respondents. Furthermore, 62% of participants know that Saudi Arabia withholds the bodies of those executed, 53% know that Saudi Arabia does not grant families their right to remain, and 68% say that Saudi Arabia does not announce all executions.
Regarding the secrecy surrounding executions, 56.7% of participants are aware that Saudi Arabia does not have a public list of those sentenced to death, while 21% believe that it does.
ESOHR believes that the survey results demonstrate that Saudi Arabia's attempts to whitewash its human rights record and to shed its reputation as one of the most prolific executioners in the world have not succeeded thus far. However, the survey also indicates that the lack of transparency and attempts to intimidate victims' families present a barrier to obtaining sufficient knowledge about the details and information related to the death penalty, especially concerning the international commitments that the Saudi government is supposed to uphold.
Reality:
Does Saudi Arabia apply the death penalty?
Yes
What is Saudi Arabia's ranking in terms of executions worldwide?
Among the top 5 countries in execution rates
On what basis does Saudi Arabia apply the death penalty?
A mix of Islamic Sharia law, codified statutory laws, and judicial discretion
What are Ta'azir punishments?
Punishments based on judicial discretion
Does Saudi Arabia exclusively execute for murder charges?
Saudi Arabia executes a wide range of charges that result in the death penalty.
Are drug-related charges among the offenses that lead to execution in Saudi Arabia? .
Saudi Arabia executes for drug-related charges
Can a detainee appoint a lawyer immediately upon arrest?
Detainees are unable to appoint a lawyer immediately upon arrest in most cases.
When can a defendant appoint a lawyer in Saudi Arabia?
The time depends on the judge's discretion.
Is Saudi Arabia a party to the Convention against Torture?
Saudi Arabia is a party to the Convention against Torture.
Do detainees in Saudi Arabia face torture to extract confessions from them?
Detainees face torture and ill-treatment to extract confessions.
Is Saudi Arabia a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Saudi Arabia is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Does Saudi Arabia violate its commitments and kill minors?
Saudi Arabia executes death sentences against minors.