Rights organizations issue joint statement calling on Saudi Arabia to release detainees News
LoboStudioHamburg / Pixabay
Rights organizations issue joint statement calling on Saudi Arabia to release detainees

A group of 40 rights organizations issued a joint statement Friday calling on Saudi Arabian authorities to release all those unfairly jailed for their online expression before Riyadh hosts the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) from December 15 to 19.

The organizations stated that the detention contradicts the IGF’s stated values, which focus on advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age. They further said that Saudi authorities are subjecting people to unprecedented repression and decades-long prison sentences for expressing critical views online.

The statement added:

All IGF participants — states, international organizations and individuals — must also demand the freedom of those unjustly detained for their online expression or else risk their presence at the IGF being instrumentalized to whitewash the violations of a government intent on silencing all critical voices online.

Saudi authorities have reportedly repressed several individuals, including medical doctor Osama Khalid, fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi and women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab. These individuals have been sentenced to prison for promoting women’s rights online, swaying public opinion and violating public morals.

In July, Saudi Arabia sentenced 47-year-old Saudi teacher Asaad al-Ghamdi to 20 years in prison for social media activity. Asaad, the brother of UK government critic Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, was convicted of multiple offenses under Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism law, including publishing false news and challenging the King and Crown Prince’s religion. His posts on the social media platform X criticized changes in the Saudi government and projects related to Vision 2030, the Crown Prince’s program to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy.

Human Rights Watch further claimed that Saudi authorities often use transnational repression against overseas critics to coerce them back to Saudi Arabia.

UN experts also appealed to Saudi Arabia on September 15, 2023, to revoke the death sentence of Mohammad Al Ghamdi, another brother of Asaad al-Ghamdi, accused of social media dissent.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Ford pardoned Nixon for Watergate

On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford, in a televised address to the American people, pardoned ex-President Richard Nixon for any offenses committed in association with the Watergate break-in. Read the full text of Ford's address.

Treaty of San Francisco signed, officially ending WWII in the Pacific

On September 8, 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco was signed between 49 nations and Japan, ending World War II in the Pacific region. In addition to dismantling the Japanese Empire, the accord also provided for compensation to be paid by Japan to prisoners of war and civilians who were victimized by Japan during the War. Communist China did not participate in the San Francisco negotiations and thus signed the separate Treaty of Tapei with Japan.

Ford pardoned Nixon

On Sepetmber 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned predecessor Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have committed or participated in while in office. Read President Ford's remarks explaining the pardon.