In a bid to diversify its economy away from oil, he has opened Saudi Arabia up to the
outside world, taken the religious police off the streets, and allowed women to drive
But the kingdom's human rights record remains "abysmal", according to the US-based
campaign group Human Rights Watch, with the high level of executions a major
concern. In recent years, only China and Iran have put more people to death, according
to human rights activists
There's been no cost for Mohammed bin Salman and his authorities for going ahead
with these executions," said Joey Shea, who researches Saudi Arabia for Human
Rights Watch. "The entertainment events, the sporting events, all of it is continuing to
happen with no repercussions, really.
According to Reprieve, the families of those executed are usually not informed in
advance, or given the body, or informed where they have been buried
The Saudi authorities do not reveal the method of execution, although it is believed to
be either beheading or firing squad
In a statement sent to the BBC, the UN's special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary
or arbitrary executions, Dr Morris Tidball-Binz, called for an immediate moratorium
on executions in Saudi Arabia with a view to abolition,
He also pressed for "full compliance with international safeguards (including effective
legal assistance and consular access for foreign nationals), prompt notification of
families, the return of remains without delay and the publication of comprehensive
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