Roundtable Discussion: Remembering detained Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Saudi Arabia

The PHRG was updated on the cases of detained HRDs in Saudi Arabia, from representatives of ALQST and the relative of one of the detained HRDs, and considered how to raise the profile of these cases/concerns.  

Main points: 

• Despite a concerted international publicity campaign by the Saudi authorities, to project themselves as newly modernised and important players on the world stage, including through “sportswashing”, the human rights situation in the country remains largely unchanged, with a repressive regime under the absolute control of the Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman. 

• Those within the Kingdom who have tried to change or challenge the regime using peaceful methods, or to exercise their fundamental rights, continue to be severely punished – in an effort to silence all critics and quash all dissent. 

• There are reports that many prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia are being held after the expiry of their initial sentence, with some re-sentenced while in prison on contested/unknown charges, such as HRD Mohammed al-Rabiah, WHRD Israa al-Ghomgham and academic Khaled al-Odah.  

• There are also credible reports that some HRDs whose sentences have expired have been forcibly disappeared, such as Mohammed al-Qahtani and Essa al-Nukheifi.  

• Families are often reluctant to undertake public advocacy on the cases of their loved ones due to a very real fear of reprisals from the authorities. 

• Engagement with the diplomatic community in Geneva in the run-up to Saudi Arabia’s Universal Periodic Review was explored. 

The PHRG will continue to raise these cases and related concerns at every opportunity, including with the FCDO through Written Parliamentary Questions.