Saudi Arabia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the recent executions for drug-related offences

The European Union deplores the executions of 20 individuals that have taken place in Saudi Arabia since the beginning of November.

This worrying development regrettably suspends the de facto moratorium on the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences that was upheld since 2021.

As a matter of principle, the European Union is strongly opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.

The European Union will continue to work for the abolition of the death penalty in the few remaining countries that still apply it.