Advocacy / Saudi Arabia
NGOs denounce systematic practice of arbitrary detention in Saudi Arabia
On September 20, 2021, Right Livelihood, ALQST, International Service for Human Rights and MENA Rights Group delivered a joint oral statement before the Human Rights Council (HRC) during the interactive dialogue with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, denouncing the systematic imprisonment of human rights defenders and peaceful dissidents in Saudi Arabia.
Google Should Halt Plans to Establish Cloud Region in Saudi Arabia
The undersigned human rights and digital rights organizations urge Google to immediately halt its plan to establish a new Google Cloud region in Saudi Arabia until the company can publicly demonstrate how it will mitigate adverse human rights impacts.
Saudi Arabia must return the remains of victims of April 2019 Mass Execution and stop tormenting their families
On May 19, 2021, a coalition of 11 organisations jointly called on Saudi Arabia to return the remains of those executed by the Saudi authorities. In their joint-statement, the undersigned organisations additionally called for those responsible for the April 2019 mass execution of 37 people to be held accountable.
A coalition of 12 NGOs urges U.S. president Joe Biden to help lift Loujain Al Hathloul's travel ban
On May 14, 2021, MENA Rights Group joined a coalition of 12 NGOs calling on the U.S. government to help lift the travel ban imposed by the Saudi authorities against Loujain Al Hathloul. In their letter, the coalition expressed their deep concern about Al Hathloul's safety if she were to remain in Saudi Arabia.
Beaten by MBS and Disappeared: The Case of Sulaiman al-Dowaish
By Ramzi Kaiss. Originally published on Democracy for the Arab World Now's (DAWN MENA) Democracy in Exile page on May 5, 2021.
A year after imprisoned Saudi activist Abdullah al-Hamid’s passing, NGOs call for accountability and release of all human rights defenders
April 24, 2021 marks one year since prominent Saudi human rights defender Dr Abdullah al-Hamid passed away, while serving an 11-year prison sentence on politically motivated charges. Before his passing, Dr al-Hamid was suffering from heart conditions and was advised to undergo surgery. However, prison authorities delayed his operation for several months, leading to the deterioration of his health. As a consequence, on April 9, 2020, he suffered a stroke in al-Ha’ir prison, entered into a coma, and eventually passed away.
Renewed crackdown on Saudi human rights defenders and critics
In an attempt to modernise the kingdom and diversify its economy, Saudi Arabia has announced a set of reforms in recent years. However, in early 2021, the authorities continued to severely repress any independent civil society movements and to target those who have campaigned for the introduction of these reforms. ALQST for Human Rights and MENA Rights Group condemn the renewed crackdown on human rights defenders and peaceful critics who have been brought to trial, sentenced to lengthy prison terms or had their convictions upheld or increased on appeal.
Sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia: NGOs ask Real Madrid not to "sportswash" the kingdom's human rights record
On February 23, 2021, ALQST for Human Rights and MENA Rights Group wrote to the Real Madrid Ethical Committee, raising concern over reports that the club was in talks with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned Qiddiya project about a 10-year €150 million partnership deal. They asked Real Madrid to fully take into conideration the dire human rights situation in Saudi Arabia before making any such partnership, as the proposed deal reflects the Saudi authorities’ PR strategy to invest in sporting ventures in a bid to revamp a tarnished image. The letter was also sent to Real Madrid on March 1 through the “Company Response Mechanism” of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Real Madrid has yet to respond.
#FreeLoujain: NGOs coalition and president of France-Saudi Arabia parliamentary friendship group call for the definitive release of women's rights activist Loujain Al Hathloul
French Deputy Jean-Baptiste Moreau (LREM), president of the France-Saudi Arabia parliamentary friendship group joins forces with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), Women’s March Global, International Service for Human Rights, MENA Rights Group, CODEPINK, to demand the definitive release of Loujain al-Hathloul and her right to return to France.
In the wake of the US National Intelligence report on Khashoggi, 42 organisations issue a joint call calling on President Joe Biden to #SanctionMBS
In response to the release of the long-awaited declassification of the U.S. national intelligence report regarding the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman (“MBS”) in the murder of U.S. permanent resident and Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, 42 organizations said: