Centre for Applied Human Rights; University of York; UK

ALQST for Human Rights; Saudi Arabia/UK

Addressed to:

Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, London

Ministry of Justice, Saudi Arabia

Waleed Abu al-Khair is a distinguished human rights lawyer renowned for his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and human rights reform in Saudi Arabia. His advocacy has centered on critical issues including the establishment of an elected parliament, the promotion of judicial independence, the transition to a constitutional monarchy, and the broader recognition and protection of fundamental human rights. In his legal practice, he notably represented Raif Badawi, a blogger who was imprisoned for expressing dissenting views. As the founder of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, Abu al-Khair has played a pivotal role in exposing and disseminating information on systemic human rights violations within the country. In recognition of his substantial contributions to the advancement of justice and human rights, he has been awarded the 2021 Olof Palme Memorial Fund Prize and the 2019 American Bar Association International Human Rights Award.

On the 15th of April 2014 Waleed Abu al-Khair was arrested by the Saudi authorities after refusing to sign an agreement to give up his human rights activism. He was later sentenced to a 15 year prison term, 15 year travel ban, a fine of 200,000 Saudi riyals (over 40,000 GBP), and the closure of all websites linked to him. Among his charges are: “inciting public opinion against the State and its people”; “inciting international organisations against Saudi Arabia with the intent of ruining its reputation”; and “setting up and supervising an unlicensed organisation.”  While imprisoned, Abu al-Khair has been subjected to appalling treatment including restricted visits, prolonged sun exposure, denial of a mattress to sleep on, denial of heating and air-conditioning, and seizure of all reading materials. He has carried out several hunger strikes in protest to his ill-treatment. More recently he was transferred to a high-security prison and has faced repeated beatings from other inmates while simultaneously being denied access to adequate medical care and medication.

While Saudi Arabia has recently released dozens of political prisoners, demonstrating the possibility for positive change, Abu al-Khair remains behind bars with his arbitrary detention continuing despite international calls for his release. For Abu al-Khair, justice delayed is justice denied in the most literal sense. He has endured over a decade of imprisonment for his peaceful human rights work. Each passing day represents not only lost freedom, but denied opportunity to continue his vital work defending human rights.

On the eleventh anniversary of Waleed Abu al-Khair’s arrest, we urge the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to immediately and unconditionally release him, as he is detained solely for peacefully exercising his human rights, and to lift the travel ban imposed on him following his release. We also call on the Saudi government to stop misusing terrorism charges to criminalize the defending of human rights, and to repeal or substantially amend the counter-terrorism and anti-cybercrime laws, ensuring that all laws are fully compatible with international human rights law and standards.