Britain is hoping to buy oil from a regime that executes its citizens
Saudi Arabia has ramped up executions in the wake of Boris Johnson’s visit, executing seven people since the prime minister travelled to the Kingdom.
On Wednesday, three people were sent to their death, four on Thursday, and one was murdered on Tuesday, a day before Johnson embarked on his travels. The PM had controversial meetings in Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as the UK attempts to move away from using Russia’s fossil fuels in the wake of the Ukraine invasion.
Asked if he’d raised issues of human rights violations during the visit, Johnson said: “It’s best if the details of those conversations are kept private.”
“It’s most effective that way,” he added. “Things are changing in Saudi Arabia.”
Following news of a string of human rights abuses, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the PM of “going cap in hand from dictator to dictator” in search for oil.
Last Saturday, Saudi Arabia executed a record 81 men in one day for terrorism-related offences – the highest number in the kingdom’s modern history.
While the authorities describe the men as “terrorists”, Maya Foa, director of the human rights advocacy group Reprieve says it’s more likely they are political prisoners, non-violent drug offenders, and people arrested as children.
Reprieve said that the drastic escalation in killings suggested the west was not doing enough to promote human rights on the world stage.
It tweeted: “These daily executions are the immediate result of the cowardice of Saudi Arabia’s western partners.”
🚨BREAKING: Saudi Arabia has executed 4 more people today.
This is part of a drastic escalation in the use of the death penalty, with daily executions now taking place. The regime appears to be trying to clear out death row.
Our joint statement with @ESOHumanRightsE 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/ZOMoEhPXjp
— Reprieve (@Reprieve) March 17, 2022
Earlier this week, Reprieve said Johnson’s trip, following Saturday’s mass execution, signalled that the UK “will tolerate the gravest human rights abuses”.
“Johnson has blood on his hands,” it said.
The PM pledged to raise human rights concerns before the meetings, saying: “I always raise human rights issues as British PM before me have done time after time.”
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