Amnesty International has called on Saudi Arabia to release individuals detained for expressing themselves online, with the rights group emphasizing this must occur before the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) hosted by Saudi Arabia between December 15 and 19. According to Amnesty International, the move would signal Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the themes of the IGF, which include promoting human rights and digital inclusion. Amnesty asserts that unless individuals incarcerated for online expression are freed immediately, the Saudi authorities risk being seen as hypocritical.
This appeal occurs amid international criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, particularly concerning freedom of expression. Jointly with 39 other organizations Amnesty previously highlighted the plight of Osama Khalid, a Wikipedia administrator sentenced to a 32-year prison term for allegedly “swaying public opinion” and “violating public morals.” Reports claim that Khalid’s case is illustrative of broader issues in Saudi Arabia, where authorities are accused of persecuting individuals critical of the government.
Several international human rights organizations have branded such detentions as violations of international law, referencing Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which asserts freedom of opinion and expression as fundamental rights. The situation is furtherer illustrated by a 2024 Freedom House report that ranked Saudi Arabia among the world’s lowest for internet freedoms, scoring only 25 out of 100 points.
Amnesty International’s call for action is underscored by the wider issue in Saudi Arabia, where previous court cases have raised significant concerns. For instance, Asaad al-Ghamdi was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment under the country’s counterterrorism law for online activities, an action criticized by Human Rights Watch as an example of the state’s punitive measures against peaceful online expression.
Critics argue these detentions pose an obstacle to the principles of the IGF, which aim to advance human rights in the digital realm. Observers believe the timing of these appeals, just ahead of the forum, could influence the international community’s stance on Saudi Arabia’s responsibilities concerning digital rights and freedom of expression.