His Holiness Abune Mathias I, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, has issued an urgent appeal to the governments of Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, as well as international human rights organizations, seeking clemency for Ethiopian nationals currently facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. In a formal statement released on May 12, 2026 (Ginbot 4, 2018 E.C.), the Patriarch called for immediate diplomatic intervention to save the lives of those held in “distressing conditions.”
The Patriarch’s message emphasized the moral and spiritual obligation to support those in distress, citing biblical mandates to remember prisoners as if bound with them. He expressed deep concern over reports of citizens facing mass executions after migrating in search of better livelihoods. His Holiness argued that the primary purpose of diplomacy should be the protection of human life, urging the Ethiopian government to prioritize high-level discussions with Saudi authorities to commute these sentences.
Central to the appeal is the concern that many of these individuals may have been disadvantaged by language barriers and a lack of adequate legal representation during their trials. The Patriarch requested that the Saudi government consider the long-standing historical ties and friendship between the two nations by granting mercy and converting death sentences into terms of imprisonment. He noted that the sanctity of life is a universal value that transcends borders and languages.
His Holiness also addressed the international community, calling upon human rights advocates to investigate potential miscarriages of justice. He urged global institutions to look into the legal processes that led to these verdicts, particularly where defendants may not have fully understood the proceedings due to linguistic hurdles. The appeal seeks to mobilize a collective voice against the finality of the current sentences in favor of a more humanitarian approach.
To the Ethiopian public and the Orthodox faithful, the Patriarch recommended a period of prayer and solidarity. He encouraged citizens to share the pain of those suffering abroad, stating that true faith is measured by one’s response to the hardships of others. The message framed the situation as a collective national concern, calling for every Ethiopian to contribute toward a peaceful and diplomatic resolution.
This appeal comes at a critical time as the Ethiopian government continues to manage complex labor migration dynamics with Gulf nations. While Ethiopia has signed various bilateral labor agreements to protect its citizens, thousands remain in vulnerable legal positions due to irregular migration status or involvement in the Saudi judicial system. Human rights groups have frequently noted that foreign domestic workers often struggle to navigate the strict legal codes of the Kingdom without robust consular support.
The Special Office of the Patriarch concluded the statement by reiterating that every human life, created in the image of God, is precious and should not be discarded. As of now, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a formal response to the Patriarch’s specific letter, though it has previously stated that it is working to repatriate thousands of undocumented citizens from Saudi detention centers to prevent further legal complications.