Saudi Arabia: Arrest of human rights defender Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh

Your Majesty,

I am deeply concerned following reports that human rights defender Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh was arrested on 19 May 2008. Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh is a professor of Political Science at the King Sa’ud University in Riyad. He is also a prominent member of the Arab Commission for Human Rights which is based in Paris.

On 19 May 2008, Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh was arrested while at work at the King Sa’ud University in Riyad. He is reportedly being held in an unknown location by members of the Saudi Arabian Intelligence.

I believe that the arrest of Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh is the result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, in particular his defence of civil liberties.

I urge the authorities in Saudi Arabia to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh, as I believe that he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights;

2. Ensure that the treatment of Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh, while in detention, adheres to all those conditions set out in the ‘Basic Principles for Treatment of Prisoners, adopted by General Assembly resolution 45/111 of 14 December 1990’;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 6 (c): “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters“, and to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.”

Yours sincerely,