RIYADH, Dec 25: Seven Pakistanis have been executed in Saudi Arabia so far this year, an Amnesty International report said. Most of the executions were carried out on drug or drug-related offences.

In its report released recently, the Amnesty voiced concern at growing executions in the kingdom. Eight people were executed in the past week bringing the total number of executions documented by the Amnesty to 31 this year. Of the eight executed last week four were Pakistanis, three Iraqis and one was Saudi.

The Amnesty fears there are many others in detention facing imminent execution. This includes three women - Majda Mostafa Mahir, Sit Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa and Sarah Jane Dematera - who were sentenced to death in a murder case.

The Amnesty said it recognized the right and responsibility of all governments to bring to justice those guilty of criminal offences. However, it opposed the death penalty as the ultimate violation of the right to life.

Trials for that purpose must meet internationally recognized standards, the report emphasized. The organization said it was committed to defending all people against the violations of these fundamental and internationally recognized rights.

The Amnesty urged King Fahd to commute all death sentences.