Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Saudi Arabia to release activists and prisoners detained for peacefully exercising their rights, amid continued concerns over the country’s treatment of detainees.
Between December 2024 and February 2025, Saudi authorities released 44 prisoners, but HRW has stated that these releases do not signal a significant shift in policy. The rights group pointed out that many of those recently released continue to face restrictions, such as arbitrary travel bans and the requirement to wear ankle monitors.
Among those still detained are prominent human rights defenders like Waleed Abu al-Khair and Manahel al-Otaibi, as well as psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi, who is accused of terrorism without evidence. HRW also highlighted ongoing violations of due process and fair trial rights, with many detainees facing charges that do not align with international law standards.
Saudi Arabia’s lack of a clear penal code has raised further concerns. HRW has called for the country’s future penal code to align with international human rights standards.
Saudi Arabia, a member of INTERPOL, faces scrutiny for its political use of the global police network. Section 83 of INTERPOL’s constitution prohibits the organization from handling politically motivated cases, which has led to international calls for better protection of activists.
In related news, March saw multiple human rights organizations urging Bulgaria to halt the deportation of Saudi activist Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi, who fled the country in 2013, and Amnesty International raised concerns over the potential deportation of Mohamad Alkayali to Saudi Arabia from Turkey, warning of human rights risks.
These cases underscore the growing international pressure on Saudi Arabia to respect basic human rights and ensure fair treatment for detained activists.
Source: Paige Miller, U. Arizona College of Law, The Jurist
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