British MPs Submit Motion Condemning Human Rights Abuses in Saudi Arabia and Calling for Release of Detainees and a Halt to Executions
A group of Members of the UK Parliament has submitted an Early Day Motion expressing deep concern over ongoing human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The motion calls for the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience and a moratorium on the death penalty.
The MPs welcomed the recent release of several political prisoners, including Salma Al-Shehab—a PhD student at the University of Leeds—human rights activist Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and Dr. Lina Al-Sharif. However, they noted that these individuals remain under severe restrictions, such as travel bans.
The motion also highlighted the continued detention of peaceful activists like Manahel Al-Otaibi, who faces no charges involving violence, as evidence of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing repression of free expression.
The MPs voiced shock over the escalating number of executions in the Kingdom, noting that 345 executions took place in 2024, and over 140 had already been carried out by mid-2025. Some of the cases involved individuals who were reportedly minors at the time of their alleged crimes.
The motion further raised concerns about labor exploitation and the risk of worker deaths on major projects—including those related to the 2034 FIFA World Cup—amid the lack of substantial labor reforms.
The MPs urged the UK government to pressure Saudi Arabia to release all prisoners of conscience, implement a freeze on executions, and ensure that human rights are prioritized in any ongoing negotiations with Gulf states over a free trade agreement.
