Home

Saudi Arabia

The international blame game on Syria looks different from Johannesburg

It was interesting to spend a few days in South Africa last week and to hear some different perspectives from the media and from those I met with about the resignation of Kofi Annan and the unfolding developments in Syria. The Western media has been lamenting how the protection of civilians in Syria has been cruelly thwarted by the pesky Russians who are determined to maintain a naval base on the Mediterranean. Those I spoke with in Johannesburg were not lacking in compassion for the innocent victims in Syria, but they were much more critical about what they perceived as the duplicity and double standards of Western Governments.

The West is perceived to be seeking to topple an authoritarian regime in Syria not because of any commitment to the human rights of people in Syria, but because of a desire to weaken Iran. Several people pointed out to me that alongside a public strategy of blaming Russia the West has been quietly supporting the efforts of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to arm opposition groups in Syria.

Tags:
View all blogs

Malaysia/Saudi Arabia - Saudi human rights defender Hamza Kashgari at risk of being deported to Saudi Arabia where he may face the death penaltyposted on: 2012/02/10

Mr Hamza Kashgari, a national of Saudi Arabia is at risk of being deported from Malaysia to Saudi Arabia where he may face the death penalty as a result of comments he posted on the social media site Twitter. Hamza Kashgari is a journalist and blogger and an advocate of freedom of expression and freedom of thought in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia: Sentencing of human rights defender Sheikh Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudiposted on: 2011/11/30

On 22 November 2011, the Saudi Special Criminal Court sentenced human rights defender Sheikh Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi and eight civil and political rights advocates to prison terms ranging from ten to 30 years.

Saudi Arabia: Arrest and incommunicado detention of human rights defender Mr Fadel Mekki Al-Manasef as part of ongoing government crackdownposted on: 2011/10/11

On 2 October 2011, human rights defender Mr Fadel Mekki Al-Manasef was arrested and detained by the Saudi police at a police check point between the towns of Al-Awamiyya and Al-Safawi in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia: Update - Human rights defender Fadel Mekki Al-Manasef releasedposted on: 2011/09/20

On 22 August 2011, at 10pm, human rights defender Mr Fadel Mekki Al-Manasef was released from the Al-Khubar Prison in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, where he had been held since 4 May 2011. At the time of his release he was not told whether charges were being brought against him, nor was he informed of his legal status following his release.

Further Information

Fadel Mekki Al-Manasef is a prominent young human rights defender, he has been involved in raising issues related to human rights with the Saudi authorities including the public prosecution, and the national human rights association.

Further information is available on this case here

Saudi Arabia: Torture of imprisoned human rights defender Mukhlif Al Shammariposted on: 2011/08/04

On 27 July 2011 human rights defender Mr Mukhlif Al Shammari was severely beaten until he lost consciousness. Whilst unconscious soldiers at the Al Damman General Prison forced a bottle of Dettol disinfectant down his throat.

Mukhlif Al Shammari is a prominent pro-democracy and pro-reform human rights defender and journalist who was imprisoned in June 2010, charged with “annoying others” with his writings. See: path:../node/14951| See previous Front Line Appeal.

On 27 July 2011, at approximately 3.00pm, Mukhlif Al Shammari was informed by soldiers that he was to be transferred from his prison cell at the Al Dammam General Prison, to a nearby hospital where he was to undergo a series of medical tests. Mukhlif Al Shammari was removed from his cell and held in the prison waiting room but was not transferred to a hospital.

After some time, Mukhlif Al Shammari was approached by Lieutenant Majeed Asmari, who was accompanied by seven soldiers. Lieutenant Majeed Asmari began shouting “dog” at Mukhlif Al Shammari and ordered the soldiers to place handcuffs on his wrists and shackles on his feet in order to restrict his movements.

Saudi Arabia: Imprisoned human rights defender Mikhlif 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 Mikhlif al-Shammari".

Further Information

Mikhlif 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 Mikhlif 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.

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

Saudi Arabia: Re-arrest and detention of human rights defender Mr Hussain Abdullah al Yusufposted on: 2011/05/06

On 27 April 2011, human rights defender and writer Mr Hussain Abdullah al Yusuf was arrested by Saudi Police. He had been arrested previously, along with fellow human rights defender Mr Hussain Abdullah al 'Alq, on the night of 3-4 March 2011 and released four days later. Hussain Abdullah al Yusuf works in promoting the rights of the Shi'a Muslim minority in Saudi Arabia and has attended peaceful demonstrations in Safwa. It is reported that he has written articles on the Shi'a news site www.rashid.com.

Further Information

On 27 April 2011 Hussain Abdullah al Yusuf was arrested while reporting to Safwa police station as required. His arrest is allegedly connected with his participation in recent peaceful demonstrations in Safwa. He was detained in the police station and later transferred to Al-Khobar prison.