• Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
    Saudi Arabia has stepped up arrests and trials of peaceful dissidents, and responded with force to demonstrations by citizens. Authorities continue to suppress or fail to protect the rights of 9 million Saudi women and girls and 9 million foreign workers. As in past years, thousands of people have received unfair trials or been subject to arbitrary detention, and public and other executions continue. Human rights defenders and others regularly face trial for peaceful expression or assembly, or for demanding political and human rights reforms.
  • © 2011 Human Rights Watch
    Saudi Arabia: 7 Convicted for Facebook Postings About Protests
    Saudi Arabia sentenced seven government critics to prison on June 24, 2013, for allegedly inciting protests and harming public order, largely by using Facebook. The Specialized Criminal Court sentenced the men, all from the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, to prison terms ranging from five to 10 years and barred them from travelling abroad for additional periods.
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Saudi Arabia

  • Saudi Arabia: 7 Convicted for Facebook Postings About Protests
    Jun 29, 2013
    Saudi Arabia sentenced seven government critics to prison on June 24, 2013, for allegedly inciting protests and harming public order, largely by using Facebook. The Specialized Criminal Court sentenced the men, all from the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, to prison terms ranging from five to 10 years and barred them from travelling abroad for additional periods.
  • Saudi Arabia to Women: “Don't Speak Up, We Know What's Best For You”
    Jun 26, 2013
    With the sentencing of two female activists who tried to help an abused woman, the Kingdom has made it clear that it will not tolerate women who stand up for other women's rights.
  • Saudi Arabia: 5-Year Sentence for Rights Defender
    Jun 22, 2013
    Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court sentenced a prominent human rights activist to five years in prison on June 17, 2013, based on his writings and exposure of human rights abuses. Mikhlif al-Shammari was convicted of “sowing discord” and other offenses and barred from travelling for 10 years.
  • Saudi Arabia: Activists Convicted for Answering Call for Help
    Jun 17, 2013

    A Saudi court convicted two Saudi women’s rights activists on June 15, 2013, for inciting a woman against her husband. Wajeha al-Huwaider and Fawzia al-Oyouni were each sentenced to 10 months in prison and two-year travel bans.

  • France: Hollande to Meet Saudi Official
    May 28, 2013
    President Francois Hollande of France will meet with Saudi Arabia’s interior minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef Al Sa`ud, in Paris on May 28, 2013. The visit comes amid an Interior Ministry-led crackdown on human rights activists throughout the kingdom. President Hollande should press Saudi Arabia to honor its human rights obligations and cease harassment and prosecutions of human rights activists.
  • Saudi Arabia: Cleric who Backed Protests on Trial for His Life
    May 10, 2013
    Saudi authorities should ensure a fair trial for the Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
  • On Olympic Anniversary, End Hurdles for Saudi Women
    May 10, 2013
    The approaching one-year anniversary of the London Olympics is a reminder that change is possible, even in countries that have long resisted it.
  • Saudi Arabia: Let All Girls Play Sports
    May 7, 2013
    Saudi Arabia should allow all girls in the kingdom, including public school students, to play sports in school.
  • Saudi Arabia: New Rights Group Facing Harassment
    May 7, 2013
    Four Saudi activists are under investigation after forming a human rights group on April 3, 2013, and could face prosecution for “establishing an illegal organization." Saudi authorities should immediately cease harassing the four founding members of the group, the Union for Human Rights (UHR), and give it an operating license.
  • Saudi Arabia: End Prosecution of Human Rights Lawyer
    Apr 19, 2013
    Saudi authorities should immediately halt the 18-month prosecution of a Jeddah-based human rights lawyer.
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