Arbitrary Arrests and detention/Fear for safety

Saudi Arabia

March 18, 2004

 

 

Brief description of the situation:

 

The Observatory has been informed by a reliable source of the arrest and detention of a group of eleven individuals, including human rights defenders.

 

On March 15, 2004, ten  individuals were  arrested. Two days later, on March 17 Abdul-Rahman Alahim, a lawyer and human rights activist,  was arrested after appearing on March 16, on Al-Jazeera satellite, calling upon the government to release all the political detainees and to take steps towards democracy and political reforms in the Kingdom.

 

The  individuals, including human rights defenders were allegedly arrested  for the following reasons: firstly for criticizing the lack of independence of the National Commission on Human Rights (the announcement of its creation was firstly made in May 2003 and again officially reiterated on March 9, 2004); secondly for submitting an application, shortly before their arrest, in order to form an independent human rights organisation to promote and protect human rights in Saudi Arabia; and thirdly, for actively engaging, in the last two years, in peaceful activities calling upon the government to take steps towards political reforms, democracy and the respect of human rights, including the signing of the “Constitutional Kingdom” statement addressed to the Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, in December 2003.

 

- Adnan Al-Shakhess, a professor at King Fahad university and political reformist.

- Matrouk Al-Faleh, a professor at King Saud university in Riyadh and a political activist, arrested from his office at the university.

- Abd Rab Al-Ameer Mussa Al-Bukhamseen, a human rights activist, arrested from his work place at a bank in Riyadh.

- Khalid Al-Hameed, a professor at King Saud university in Riyadh city and arrested from his office at the university.

were subsequently released on March 17, 2004

 

Abdul-Rahman Alahim, a lawyer and human rights activist,  was arrested after appearing on March 16, on Al-Jazeera satellite, calling upon the government to release all the political detainees and to take steps towards democracy and political reforms in the Kingdom

- Abdulla Al-Hamad, a professor at Imam Mohamed bin Al-Saud University. Arrested at his office at the university.

- Mohammed Said Al-Taib, a human rights activist, arrested at his house in Jeddah city.

- Towfiq Al-Qaseer, a university professor, arrested at his house in Riyadh city.

- Najeeb Al-Khanizee, a writer and political activist, arrested in Al-Kateef city.

- Ali Al-Deminy, a writer and political activist, arrested at his work place.

- Shaikh Sulaiman Al-Rashoud, a clergyman and human rights activist.

 

 remain in detention at the General Intelligence (al-Mabahith al-amma) in Riyadh,

 

According to the information received, the Ministry of the Interior is willing to release all the detainees on the condition that they sign a pledge that they will cease their campaign in favour of reforms of the political and human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.

 

The Observatory is extremely concerned for the physical integrity of the individuals who remain in detention and urges the Saudi Arabian authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally.

 

 

Action requested:

 

Please write to the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia urging them to:

 

i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the detainees and order their immediate and unconditional release;

ii. allow human rights defenders to form independent human rights organisations to promote and protect human rights in Saudi Arabia;

iii. conform to the provisions of the Declaration on Humans Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 9, 1998, in particular article 1, which states that "everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels";

iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

 

 

Addresses:

 

· His Majesty King Fahd bin `Abdul `Aziz Al-Saud, King and Prime Minister, Office of H.M. The King, Royal Court, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fax: + 966 1 403 1185

 

· His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin `Abdul `Aziz, Minister of the Interior, Ministry of the Interior, P.O. Box 2933, Airport Road, Riyadh 11134, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fax: + 966 1 403 1185

 

· His Royal Highness Prince Saud al-Faisal bin `Abdul `Aziz Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasseriya Street, Riyadh 11124, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fax: + 966 1 403 0159

 

· His Excellency Dr.`Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, University Street, Riyadh 11137, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fax: + 966 1 401 1741

 

· S.E. Abdulwahab Abdulsalam Attar, Ambassador, Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Rte de Lausanne 263, 1292 Chambésy, e-mail: saudiarabia@ties.itu.int, Fax: +4122 758.00.00

 

 

Paris - Geneva, February 18, 2004

 

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.

The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need. The Observatory was the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic.

To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:

E-mail: observatoire@iprolink.ch

Tel and fax FIDH 33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / 01 43 55 18 80

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