Ethiopian bishop calls for urgent international intervention to stop execution of 200 nationals in Saudi Arabia, urging mercy and justice.
Newsroom (05/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Bishop of the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat, Tesfaselassie Medhin, has issued a powerful appeal to international humanitarian organizations, urging immediate intervention to prevent the execution of 200 Ethiopian nationals currently on death row in Saudi Arabia.
Framing his message as both a religious and moral plea, Medhin described himself as “a witness to the profound value of every human soul,” emphasizing the sanctity of life as central to his faith. His appeal calls on global institutions tasked with safeguarding human dignity to act swiftly and decisively in what he described as a matter of urgent humanitarian concern.
“Our faith teaches us that life is a gift from the Creator: sacred, inviolable, and deserving of protection from conception until its natural end,” Medhin stated in a note sent to the Fides news agency. While acknowledging the sovereignty of nations and the importance of legal systems, he stressed that justice must be “tempered by mercy.”
The bishop warned that the execution of the 200 individuals would not only result in an “irreparable loss of life” but would also inflict deep suffering on families in Ethiopia, many of whom are already grappling with poverty and displacement. He underscored that those facing execution are more than statistics, describing them as “children, parents, and siblings” whose lives carry inherent value beyond any alleged crimes.
The appeal comes amid growing concern over the fate of Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia, particularly those held in Khamis Mushait, where dozens reportedly remain on death row. On April 21, 2026, three Ethiopian migrants were executed, heightening fears for those still awaiting judgment.
Many of the individuals at risk are believed to be refugees who fled the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region between 2020 and 2022. Their precarious status, Medhin suggested, raises additional concerns about whether they have received fair legal representation and fully understood the proceedings against them.
In his statement, the bishop called on international organizations to engage in “urgent, high-level dialogue” with Saudi authorities. He urged them to seek a stay of execution, advocate for commutation of the sentences, and ensure that due process standards have been met, including access to adequate legal defense.
He also encouraged the promotion of alternatives to capital punishment, emphasizing the potential for rehabilitation and redemption. “We cannot remain silent while the lives of so many hang in the balance,” he said.
Medhin concluded with a broader moral appeal, urging the global community to listen to “the cry of the poor and the marginalized” and to work toward replacing what he termed a “culture of death” with a “civilization of love and mercy.” He called for immediate and decisive action, expressing hope that compassion would guide those in positions of power.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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