Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch Urges Action on Death Sentences Facing Citizens in Saudi Arabia

Mintesinot Niggusie

The Head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, His Holiness Abune Mathias I, has called on the Ethiopian government, international human rights organisations and Saudi authorities to intervene urgently on behalf of Ethiopian nationals reportedly facing death sentences in Saudi Arabia.

In a pastoral message released on Tuesday, the Patriarch said he had received information from various media sources indicating that some Ethiopians abroad were at risk of execution, urging immediate diplomatic engagement to prevent what he described as a “grave humanitarian situation.”

He appealed for coordinated efforts between Addis Ababa and Riyadh to review the cases, urging that sentences be reconsidered and, where possible, commuted to imprisonment. The Patriarch also called on Ethiopian authorities to intensify high-level diplomatic discussions with Saudi officials, stressing that ongoing efforts should prioritise the protection of citizens.

He further urged international human rights organisations to pay close attention to the cases, saying individuals facing capital punishment in foreign jurisdictions may not fully understand legal processes or proceedings conducted in languages unfamiliar to them. In his message, Abune Mathias referenced broader Christian teachings on compassion and solidarity.

The Patriarch’s appeal also framed the issue within long-standing ties between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, calling on both sides to reflect on their historical relations while addressing the situation of Ethiopian migrants abroad.