Saudi Arabia Moves to Execute 65 Ethiopian Migrants Following Disputed Drug Related Convictions

Human Rights Watch warns of imminent execution for 65 Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia, citing drug convictions and systemic due process violations.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 5:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Reporter Ethiopia

Imminent Threat to Detained Ethiopian Migrants

Human Rights Watch, HRW, released a critical report on April 28, 2026, warning that Saudi Arabian authorities are preparing to execute at least 65 Ethiopian migrants. These individuals were convicted of drug related offenses, a category of crime that the rights organization claims is being prosecuted with increasing frequency and speed. According to the report, the window for international intervention is rapidly closing as the kingdom accelerates its judicial proceedings. HRW is calling for immediate diplomatic pressure from the international community to halt these executions and protect the lives of the detainees.

Legal Discrepancies and Judicial Shortcomings

The current alarm follows the recent execution of three Ethiopian nationals who were apprehended while transporting khat into the kingdom. While khat is a legal stimulant deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture, it is strictly prohibited under Saudi law. HRW findings indicate that many of the individuals currently on death row were subjected to brief group trials that lacked basic legal protections. Specifically, detainees reportedly faced these proceedings without the assistance of legal counsel or adequate translation services, which the rights group argues constitutes a systemic failure to provide due process to vulnerable populations.

Exploitation of Refugees by Human Traffickers

Many of those facing the death penalty are identified as refugees who fled the Tigray region during the recent two year armed conflict. Sources informed HRW that human traffickers often force these migrants to carry khat from Yemen into Saudi Arabia as a mandatory condition for facilitating their journey. This exploitation places the migrants in direct violation of Saudi drug laws, even as they flee poverty and violence in their home regions. The rights group maintains that executing individuals under these circumstances is a violation of international legal standards regarding the protection of migrants and refugees.