Saudi Arabia: Escalating Ethiopian Migrant Protection Concerns Amid Executions

• Saudi Arabia deported 26,400 Ethiopians in the first quarter of 2026, more than double the number from the same period last year.
• Human Rights Watch reported at least 17 Ethiopian nationals have been executed in Saudi Arabia since early 2026 on drug-related charges, with 79 others facing imminent execution.
• Concerns about due process include inadequate legal representation and interpretation for Ethiopian migrants in Saudi courts.
• The International Organization for Migration documented severe protection risks along the Eastern Migration Route, including trafficking, violence, and exploitation of women and children.
• Despite these dangers, economic pressures continue to drive Ethiopians to migrate to Saudi Arabia in search of work, straining Ethiopia's reception systems.

Human Rights Watch has reported that Saudi authorities executed at least 17 Ethiopian nationals since the beginning of 2026 for drug-related offenses, with an additional 79 individuals reportedly facing imminent execution.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia significantly increased its deportations of Ethiopian nationals during the first quarter of 2026, with 26,400 individuals returned to Ethiopia between January and March. This figure represents more than double the number recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year, marking a 106 percent year-on-year rise from 12,800 deportations in the first quarter of 2025.

Despite this sharp annual increase, the first-quarter 2026 figures were 19 percent lower than the 32,500 Ethiopians deported in the final quarter of 2025. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) attributed this quarterly decline partly to travel restrictions implemented in Saudi Arabia amidst regional tensions, as well as limited capacity at reception centers within Ethiopia itself. The demographic breakdown of returnees indicates that men constituted a vast majority, accounting for 92 percent, and at least 679 of those deported were underage.

Geographically, the largest shares of returnees originated from Ethiopia's Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia regions, representing 36 percent, 31 percent, and 29 percent of the total, respectively. Returns to both Tigray and Oromia saw a substantial increase of 146 percent compared to the previous year, while returns to Amhara rose by 71 percent. These escalating numbers underscore the growing Saudi Arabia Ethiopian migrant protection concerns.

Amidst the surge in Ethiopian deportations from Saudi Arabia, serious human rights concerns have been highlighted by advocacy groups. Human Rights Watch has reported that Saudi authorities executed at least 17 Ethiopian nationals since the beginning of 2026 for drug-related offenses, with an additional 79 individuals reportedly facing imminent execution. Five of these executions occurred on July 27 alone, contributing to the total of at least 17 for the year.

Concerns extend significantly to due process, as Human Rights Watch cited instances where Ethiopian migrants allegedly faced legal proceedings without adequate legal representation or proper interpretation services. Some individuals facing execution had reportedly been detained for years, with severely limited access to lawyers or translators during their court appearances. These findings raise critical questions about Ethiopian migrants due process in Saudi Arabia.

Beyond the criminal justice system, the IOM has documented a range of protection risks encountered by migrants along the Eastern Migration Route to Saudi Arabia, including arbitrary detention, forced relocation, human trafficking, and various forms of violence. The agency also reported an increase in the exploitation of women and girls, including cases of forced sexual exploitation. Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in children traveling through Yemen, with most identified in February being between 14 and 17 years old, a trend partly linked by IOM to higher labor demand in Saudi Arabia during the Ramadan period, exacerbating child-protection issues.

Despite the severe risks and increased deportations, economic pressures continue to fuel migration along the Eastern Route towards Saudi Arabia. IOM data consistently shows that the search for work and improved livelihoods remains a primary motivation for migrants undertaking this perilous journey. This ongoing movement, coupled with the rising number of returnees, places significant strain on Ethiopia's migration management and reintegration systems.

The Ethiopian government, through its Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, has continued to receive its citizens, with 1,708 Ethiopians who had been living in difficult conditions in Saudi Arabia returning to Ethiopia over a single week via eight flights. However, the increased volume of arrivals is adding pressure to Ethiopia's reception and reintegration infrastructure. IOM has noted that while the number of returnees arriving at reception facilities has grown, the limited capacity of these centers has adversely affected the pace at which individuals can be effectively received and processed.

Lawyers advising Ethiopian clients on migration to Saudi Arabia or those with family members there must be aware of the significantly increased deportation risks and severe human rights concerns, including documented failures in due process and legal representation for those facing criminal charges. This necessitates heightened vigilance and robust legal advocacy for migrant protection.

Source: Original reporting via The Reporter Magazine