Human Rights Watch (HRW) has intensified its calls for the Saudi Arabian government to release activists who have been detained for peaceful activism. In a statement issued on Monday, HRW highlighted the release of 44 prisoners between December 2024 and February 2025 but indicated that these releases do not represent a substantial change in governmental policy. HRW’s statement, which you can read here, underscores the continued detention of several renowned human rights defenders.
Among those still detained are psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi, accused of terrorism without supporting evidence, and well-known activists Waleed Abu al-Khair and Manahel al-Otaibi. Many detainees face charges that HRW asserts are not legitimate crimes under international law, and the organization is urging the Saudi government to ensure its forthcoming penal code aligns with international legal standards. For more information on Saudi Arabia’s legal framework, consider exploring INTERPOL’s Section 83, which outlines non-involvement in politically motivated cases.
Despite being released, numerous former detainees face restrictive conditions such as arbitrary travel bans and the requirement to wear ankle monitors, raising concerns about the fairness and justice of the Saudi legal system. The absence of a formal penal code adds complexity to the legal landscape, often resulting in charges that contravene international human rights standards.
In parallel developments, the international community remains on alert regarding extradition cases involving Saudi dissenters. In March, human rights organizations collectively called on Bulgarian authorities to prevent the deportation of Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi, a Saudi activist who fled the country in 2013 in fear of persecution. Details on this matter are available here. Similarly, Amnesty International had earlier cautioned Turkey against extraditing Mohamad Alkayali, with concerns over possible human rights violations upon his return to Saudi Arabia.
The broader implications of these actions are yet to unfold, but the situation continues to draw international scrutiny and calls for compliance with global human rights norms.