Human rights defender Mohammad Al Qahtani remains forcibly disappeared in Saudi Arabia despite repeated UN calls for his release
Timeline
August 20, 2023: Mentioned in the UN Secretary General's 2023 report on reprisals.
May 15, 2023: the Geneva Bar Association sends a letter to the Presidency of State Security expressing their grave concerns over the fate of al-Qahtani and urging them to release him.
January 30, 2023: Saudi authorities respond to the UN WGEID saying that al-Qahtani's case is still being investigated.
December 21, 2022: Saudi authorities respond to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances that Al Qahtani’s prison sentence was extended.
November 30, 2022: four UN Special Procedures mandate holders including Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders issue a communication and express their concern for Al-Qahtani’s physical and mental health.
November 21, 2022: Al-Qahtani served his 10 year sentence and yet remains in detention.
November 3, 2022: MENA Rights Group requests the urgent intervention of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) after being informed that his relatives had not heard from him since October 23, 2022.
September 29, 2022: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2022 report on reprisals.
April 15, 2022: MENA Rights Group refers case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2022 report on reprisals.
September 29, 2021: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2021 report on reprisals.
April 15, 2021: MENA Rights Group refers case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2021 report on reprisals.
April 7, 2021: Al Qahtani is denied contact with the outside world.
April 2021: Al Qahtani tests positive for COVID-19.
March 6, 2021: Al Qahtani and more than 30 other prisoners of conscience undertake a third hunger strike in protest of the harassment they are facing in Al Ha’ir prison.
December 16, 2020: Al Qahtani carries out a second hunger strike in prison in protest of being denied family contact, access to books and essential medication.
September 30, 2020: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2020 report on reprisals.
May 1, 2020: MENA Rights Group refers case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2020 report on reprisals.
October 9, 2019: Ahead of the 10-year anniversary of ACPRA’s founding, MENA Rights Group and ALQST submitted his case to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
September 19, 2019: Mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s 2019 report on reprisals.
May 1, 2019: MENA Rights Group refers case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the 2019 report on reprisals.
December 17, 2018: Al Qahtani begins hunger strike, for which he is subsequently punished with solitary confinement.
November 2018: Al Qahtani is among recipients of 2018 Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’.
November 17, 2016: UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention renews call for Saudi Arabia to release Al Qahtani and eight other human rights activists.
September 4, 2015: UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention finds Al Qahtani’s detention to be arbitrary, calls for his release.
July 2013: UN Secretary-General follows up on case in annual report on reprisals.
March 9, 2013: Sentenced by the Criminal Court in Riyadh to 10 years of imprisonment and a 10-year travel ban and arrested.
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