We the undersigned organisations, express grave concern regarding the ongoing arbitrary detention of lawyer and human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair since April 15, 2014.
Waleed Abu al-Khair is a prominent human rights lawyer known for defending peaceful activists, political reformers, and victims of state repression in Saudi Arabia. He has been involved in high-profile human rights cases, including providing legal representation to blogger Raif Badawi, arrested in 2012 and who served ten years in prison for setting up a debate website, and supporting women’s rights activist Samar Badawi. As the head of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, he has published about human rights violations in the country. His legal work consistently challenged arbitrary detention, lack of due process, and restrictions on civil liberties—making him a central figure in the country’s human rights movement. Waleed Abu al-Khair has been internationally recognized for his tireless advocacy for human rights and justice in Saudi Arabia, receiving the 2018 Right Livelihood Award, the 2019 American Bar Association International Human Rights Award, and the 2021 Olof Palme Memorial Fund Prize.
On April 15, 2014, human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair was arrested during a court session at the Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh. Reportedly, his family and legal counsel were uninformed about his detainment for 24 hours, and he was held incommunicado for 2-3 months. He continues to be subjected to ill-treatment, including sleep deprivation and denial of medication.
On 22 April 2014, during the beginning of Mr. Abu al-Khair’s trial, lawyers present in the courtroom reported that the judge allegedly refused to explain the reasons for his arrest or detention, further denying his right to a fair trial.
Ultimately, in July 2014, Mr Abu al-Khair was charged with a range of politically motivated offenses, including “undermining the regime,” “breaking allegiance to the ruler,” “insulting the judiciary,” “inciting public opinion,” “founding an unlicensed organisation,” and “violating the cybercrime law” through peaceful advocacy and public statements—charges that directly criminalise his legitimate human rights work. Mr. Abu al-Khair was sentenced to 15 years in prison, a 15-year travel ban, as well as a fine of 200,000 Saudi riyals.
Saudi Arabia: Continued Arbitrary Detention of Lawyer and Human Rights Defender Waleed Abu al-Khair
