SANAD Human Rights Organisation publishes Its 2024 Annual Report: “Saudi Arabia – Double Death: Political Executions and Deadly Neglect”
The Saudi regime, through its media, economic, entertainment arms, political ties, and international lobbying networks, continues to attempt to improve its global image and whitewash its human rights violations, presenting itself as committed to international standards and obligations related to freedoms and rights.
However, the reality tells a completely different story. Human rights violations persist, restrictions on freedom of expression remain in place, political participation is absent, and there is a lack of transparency in judicial procedures, criminal cases, and the management and distribution of wealth.
The use of the death penalty in the country is expanding at an alarming and frightening rate, without clear or transparent information about the judicial processes involved in implementing this punishment. This further confirms that such sentences are purely political and may be used to eliminate political opponents and individuals who openly express their opinions, whether in public or on social media.
Despite a few symbolic releases of individuals arbitrarily detained without any valid legal basis, arrests have continued noticeably in 2024 for the same reasons—posting on social media or showing solidarity with prisoners of conscience. This reflects a lack of genuine willingness on the part of the Saudi regime to close this deeply troubling file.
In 2024, the systematic crackdown on journalism and journalists continues. There are no signs of press freedom in Saudi Arabia. As a result, many media outlets and journalists have been reduced to echo chambers that promote the regime’s superficial achievements and false narratives. Social media influencers are also being used for this unethical purpose—sometimes through incentives, other times through intimidation.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly attempted to deceive Western media and the international community into believing that the judiciary in Saudi Arabia is independent. However, this narrative continues to collapse day after day. In the absence of a clear legal framework for trials and criminal procedures, the continuation of secret trials, the banning of international human rights organizations from observing court sessions, and the interference of the Royal Court in legal proceedings and verdicts—all prove that what Mohammed bin Salman claims is nothing more than an attempt to exonerate himself from responsibility for these violations.
The year 2024 has been no better than previous years since the Crown Prince came to power. Violations continue, human rights are absent, and the suffering of victims of repression, intimidation, and arbitrary detention tragically goes on.
