4 Years Later, Waleed Abu al-Khair Remains Imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for his Human Rights Work

Four years ago, on 6 July 2014, the Specialized Criminal Court sentenced human rights lawyer and activist Waleed Abu al-Khair to 15 years in prison, a 15-year travel ban, and a fine of 200,000 Saudi riyals (approximately USD 53,000). He was sentenced on spurious terrorism charges stemming from his free expression and association, human rights[…]

ADHRB at HRC38 calls attention to Saudi Arabia’s Upcoming 3rd Cycle UPR and Continuing Abuses

On Friday 29 June, at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, ADHRB’s Advocacy Associate delivered an oral intervention during the Item 6 General Debate, calling attention to Saudi Arabia’s upcoming 3rd cycle Universal Periodic Review, and noting that this is an optimal environment for states to engage and address systematic, widespread,[…]

The Detention of Mohammed al-Bajadi and the Continued Targeting of ACPRA

On 25 May 2018, Saudi authorities arrested prominent human rights defender Mohammed al-Bajadi. He was arrested along with almost a dozen women rights defenders because of his activism and human rights work. While a number of the women who were arrested have been released, al-Bajadi remains in detention. Mohammed al-Bajadi is a businessman and a[…]

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Travels the US Amid Rights Abuses

In mid-March, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (often referred to by his initials, MbS), wrapped up a trip the United Kingdom and traveled to the United States (US) for a two-week visit starting Monday, 19 March. MbS’s visit comes at a time when he is attempting to bring desperately needed social reforms to[…]

HRC37 Intervention on Saudi Arabia’s Use of Counterterror laws against HRDs

On Friday 2 March, during the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, IDO in cooperation with ADHRB delivered an oral intervention during the Item 3 Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on countering terrorism while promoting human rights, and culture. In the intervention, IDO and ADHRB addressed the Rapporteur on countering terrorism concerning[…]