A coalition of 40 rights organizations has issued a joint statement demanding that Saudi Arabian authorities release all individuals jailed for their online expression. This call comes ahead of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), set to take place in Riyadh from December 15 to 19. The organizations argue that the detentions are inconsistent with the IGF’s overarching mission to advance human rights and inclusion in the digital age. For more context, the full statement can be found on Amnesty International’s website.
According to the statement, the Saudi government has subjected numerous individuals, including medical doctor Osama Khalid, fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi, and women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab, to long prison sentences for their online activities promoting women’s rights and other critical viewpoints. Amnesty International reported that these cases illustrate the severe repression Saudis face for their online expression.
In a particularly egregious case, a Saudi court sentenced Asaad al-Ghamdi, a 47-year-old teacher, to 20 years in prison for his social media activity. Asaad, who is the brother of UK government critic Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, was convicted under multiple provisions of Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism law. These charges included publishing false news and challenging the religion of the King and Crown Prince through social media posts that were critical of governmental changes and Vision 2030—a strategic economic diversification plan. This case was documented by Human Rights Watch.
Human Rights Watch also noted that Saudi authorities often resort to transnational repression to silence critics residing abroad, using coercive measures to compel their return to the kingdom.
Recently, UN experts have also called for Saudi Arabia to revoke the death sentence imposed on Mohammad Al Ghamdi, another brother of Asaad al-Ghamdi, who has been accused of social media dissent. This appeal by the UN was published on September 15, 2023.
The joint statement from rights organizations urges IGF participants—including states, international organizations, and individuals—to advocate for the release of those unfairly detained. They argue that failure to do so risks legitimizing the Saudi government’s human rights violations and efforts to stifle critical online voices.
For additional details and context, the original article can be accessed on JURIST.