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Saudi Arabia: UPDATE - Human rights defender Sheikh Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi to appeal sentence following an unfair trialposted on: 2012/01/26

On 24 January 2012 Saudi human rights rights defender Sheikh Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi lodged an appeal before the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in Riyadh, along with other advocates of reform in Saudi Arabia, against the sentences handed down against them in November 2011.

Saudi Arabia: Imprisoned human rights defender Mukhlif Al Shammari reiterates his commitment to human rights from his prison cellposted on: 2011/06/13

"On the first anniversary of my arrest I feel stronger than ever, and frustration and despair have not affected me at all. I give you a promise that I will not abandon my principles which I defended before and I will continue supporting the oppressed regardless of religion, race or color or nationality. May Allah help me and you to defend human rights, Your Brother Mukhlif al-Shammari".

Further Information

Mukhlif Al-Shammari is a pro-democracy and pro-reform journalist and writer in Saudi Arabia. He was arrested on 15 June 2010 while attending a dinner with friends in Jubail city. He had not received any notification or summons for questioning prior to his arrest. He was reportedly escorted by a heavily armed security force, a practice usually reserved for those suspected of serious crimes or act of terrorism, and was taken to Al-khober police station.

On 20 June 2010 the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution registered case number 2029/255/31 against him, charging Mukhlif Al-Shammari with the offence of "annoying others" with his writings. He has been interrogated in relation to six articles he had written and published on various Saudi websites.

Brussels: Front Line raises the case of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja at European Parliament hearing on the Arab Peninsulaposted on: 2011/05/26

On 26 May 2011, the Head of Front Line's EU Office, Mr Vincent Forest, was invited to open an exchange of views on the situation of human rights in the Arab Peninsula at the meeting of the European Parliament sub-committee on human rights. He raised the specific case of former Front Line Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Mr Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, and responding to representatives of the Bahraini authorities, he stressed that investigations into the acts of torture faced by Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and other defendants have been denied by the Military Court Judges.

Brussels: Front Line raises the case of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja at European Parliament hearing on the Arab Peninsulaposted on: 2011/05/26

On 26 May 2011, the Head of Front Line's EU Office, Mr Vincent Forest, was invited to open an exchange of views on the situation of human rights in the Arab Peninsula at the meeting of the European Parliament sub-committee on human rights.

Saudi Arabia: UPDATE - Transfer of Mr Fadel al Manasef to a detention centreposted on: 2011/05/23

On the morning of 18 May 2011 Saudi human rights defender Mr Fadel al Manasef was transferred from Al Khubar prison to a detention centre operated by the criminal investigation department. His transfer indicates that he may now be held incommunicado and investigated in relation to offences against state security.

Saudi Arabia: UPDATE - Transfer of Mr Fadel al Manasef to a detention centreposted on: 2011/05/23

On the morning of 18 May 2011 Saudi human rights defender Mr Fadel al Manasef was transferred from Al Khubar prison to a detention centre operated by the criminal investigation department. His transfer indicates that he may now be held incommunicado and investigated in relation to offences against state security.

Further Information

Front Line is concerned that he may be tortured or ill-treated to force him to incriminate himself. There are also fears that he may now face prolonged detention without access to his lawyer and his family.

See here the original appeal on this case

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Saudi Arabia: UPDATE - Human rights defender Mikhlif Al-Shommari faces new charges before State Security Courtposted on: 2011/04/20

Front Line has received new information regarding the case of Sheikh Mikhlif Al Shommari, a prominent Saudi Arabian HRD who was the subject of a Front Line appeal last year - see link to original Front Line Appeal below.

Further Information

Reports reaching Front Line suggest that new charges may be brought against him so that he may tried before the State Security Court. Al Shommari fears that he may be charged with terrorism as this was the case when he was detained for 4 months on a similar charge back in 2007. Front Line is calling on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sheikh Al Shommari as his continued arbitrary detention is directly connected to his peaceful and legitimate work as a human rights defender.

Sheikh Al Shommari remains arbitrarily detained at Al Damman General Prison. His case appears to have reached a stalemate following the dismissal by a court of the initial charge of "annoying others" which had been brought against him following his arrest. The case was sent back by the court to the prosecutor to decide on next steps.

Saudi Arabia: UPDATE- Continued arbitrary detention of human rights defender Mikhlif Al-Shommari posted on: 2010/10/26

Human rights defender Mr Mikhlif Al-Shommari, (aged 57) continues to be subjected to arbitrary detention since his arrest on 15 June 2010.

Saudi Arabia: Update - Court to announce verdict on the legality of detaining human rights defender Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi posted on: 2010/08/26

On Saturday, 28 August 2010, the Grievances (Administrative) Court in Riyadh is expected to announce a verdict in the case of “Judge Al-Reshoudi Vs. the Ministry of Interior”, a lawsuit filed against the Ministry regarding Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi, who has been detained incommunicado without charge for more than three years.

Saudi Arabia: Human rights defender Wajeha Al-Huwaider challenges the Guardianship lawsposted on: 2009/06/29

Wajeha Al-Huwaider has launched a new campaign against the Guardianship system which is imposed on Saudi women. She has been trying to cross King Fahad Causeway which connects Saudi Arabia with Bahrain asking to be allowed to leave the country without a male family member's permission.

Saudi Arabia: human rights defender, Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh released after 235 days in prison.posted on: 2009/01/15

On 11 January 2009, Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh was released after spending 235 days in prison. Dr Matrouk was held in solitary confinement in Alhayer prison, was not officially charged, was not allowed legal consultation or regular visits, and was denied adequate medical treatment and access to fresh air and exercise, despite suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, skin irritation and rheumatism.

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Lawyer subject to Travel Ban wins Human Rights Watch Awardposted on: 2008/09/23

Saudi human rights lawyer Abd al-Rahman al-Lahim is the winner of the Human Rights Watch 2008 Human Rights Defender award. Human Rights Watch also announced four other winners of the 2008 award, courageous individuals working for justice and human rights from Uzbekistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Saudi Arabia: human rights lawyer banned from travelling receives international award from American Bar Associationposted on: 2008/05/06

Saudi lawyer and human rights activist, Abdurrahman al-Lahem, who is banned from travelling abroad has received the International Human Rights Lawyer Award from the American Bar Association.

Human Rights Defenders launch organization publicly in Saudi Arabiaposted on: 2005/04/07

Human Rights First, a Saudi Arabian human rights organization, has issued a press release publicly announcing their existence following the failure of the Saudi Arabian authorities to respond to their request to register for over two years. Front Line has called on the Saudi Arabian Government to ensure that human rights defenders, including Human Rights First, are free to operate in line with international standards including the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

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Human Rights First, Saudi Arabiaposted on: 2005/02/23

Human Rights First has applied in the first week of November 2002 for a license to the Saudi Government to start operating as society for protecting and defending Human Rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately we did not get any response; positive or otherwise from the Saudi Government. Hence it was decided to proceed in declaring (HRF) and consequently accept membership and support from all spectrum of the Saudi Society to help us fulfilling our objectives. The following is our:

Mission Statement:

Human Rights First is dedicated to protecting and defending human rights in Saudi Arabia in accordance with Islamic teachings. We stand for applying the rule of law, freedoms of expression and association, and abolishing all discrimination in Saudi society on the basis of gender or religious belief.

We will use all peaceful means to advocate that the Saudi government respects article 26 of the Basic Rule for Governing the Kingdom, which came into force on 2/3/1992. Article 26 stipulates: "The nation defends human rights..in accordance to Islamic Shariah".