Advocacy / 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:
45 organisations call on Lewis Hamilton to take a stand against Saudi Arabia's "sportswashing" attempts
Together with 44 organisations, MENA Rights Group sent a joint letter to Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton urging him to speak out against the Saudi authorities' human rights abuses and boycott the Formula 1 race projected to be held in Saudi Arabia later in 2021. The letter specifically recalled the Saudi-led war on Yemen, the Gulf state's treatment of women’s rights defenders, and the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In the light of Hamilton's previous dedication to human rights related issues, we call on him to take action to uphold the most basic rights also in Saudi Arabia and to reject the state's "sportswashing" attempts.
Call for the release of prisoners of conscience in the Gulf in light of the lifting of Qatar blockade
On January 5, 2021, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Egypt, signed a “solidarity and stability” agreement, at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Al-Ulah, Saudi Arabia, ending the blockade on Qatar.
NGOs ask Dakar Rally participants to #StandWithSaudiHeroes
28 December 2020 Dear Participants, Organizers, Sponsors and Official Broadcasters of the Dakar Rally,
NGOs call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Saudi women's rights defenders
In a joint letter to the president of the Human Rights Commission in Saudi Arabia, Awwad bin Saleh Al Awwad, 28 NGOs called for the immediate and unconditional release of all Saudi women's rights defenders, including dropping all charges against them, and halting all forms of harassment, intimidation and travel bans against their family members.