Human rights campaigners are warning against Saudi Arabia’s likely election to the United Nations Human Rights Council, calling it a significant blow to global efforts for justice and a “slap in the face” to victims of the regime. Despite attempts by the Saudi government to present itself as a reformed nation with advancements in gender equality and human rights, its record continues to face harsh criticism.
Accusations have been leveled against Saudi border guards for killing hundreds of Ethiopians attempting to cross from Yemen between 2022 and 2023, a crime some say could amount to crimes against humanity. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has yet to provide accountability for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
This year alone, over 198 people have been executed in the kingdom, the highest number since 1990, with Amnesty International identifying some of those executed as political protesters. The regime has also sentenced several women to lengthy prison terms, often after secret trials, for advocating greater rights and freedoms via social media. One of these women, 30-year-old Manahel al-Otaibi, received an 11-year prison sentence after calling for an end to male guardianship laws.
Human rights groups were dismayed when Saudi Arabia was appointed in March to chair a UN commission aimed at promoting gender equality globally. Now, as the UN General Assembly prepares to elect 18 new members to the Human Rights Council for three-year terms beginning in 2025, concerns are mounting due to limited competition for council seats.
Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, stated, “A Saudi victory would be a slap in the face to the many victims of Saudi abuses,” referencing the Ethiopian migrants, Yemeni war crime victims, and the family of Jamal Khashoggi. He urged council members who value human rights to work diligently to prevent Saudi Arabia and other abusive regimes from undermining the council’s efforts.