The undersigned human rights organizations issue an urgent appeal to the international community and the conscience of the world to take immediate action to save the life of French national Mr. Amr Abdel Fattah, who is at grave risk of death, torture, and enforced disappearance while held in Saudi detention facilities.
The case of Abdel Fattah constitutes a deeply alarming precedent. He has been transformed from a victim of organized Hajj visa fraud networks into a prisoner of conscience prosecuted on terrorism-related charges in closed proceedings.
The suffering of Amr Abdel Fattah, a father of three, began on 16 June 2024 in Mecca, when Saudi security authorities determined that his Hajj permit was invalid after he fell prey to an organized visa fraud network. He had entered the Kingdom with the apparent lawful intention of performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Rather than being deported in accordance with applicable legal procedures, he was arbitrarily detained for more than eleven months before being brought before a court. He is now in his nineteenth month of detention, during which he has reportedly been subjected to severe torture, including violent beatings, death threats, kicking, and being forcefully slammed against a wall, resulting in his transfer to hospital in a critical emergency condition.
The organizations further confirm that Saudi authorities referred Abdel Fattah to the “Specialized Criminal Court,” which is designated for terrorism-related cases, on broad and ill-defined charges linked to the exercise of freedom of expression, including “insulting the government” and “praising opposition figures.”
Since 5 August 2025, all communication between the victim and his family has been completely severed, placing him de facto in a situation of enforced disappearance.
In this context, Alkarama organization submitted the case of Mr. Amr Abdel Fattah to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on 12 January 2026 under the urgent action procedure, seeking full clarification of his fate and, at a minimum, to ensure that he is afforded legal protection.
The appeal is based on credible and corroborated testimonies, including reports by the French consul, who visited Abdel Fattah on several occasions and documented visible, recent injuries on his wrists caused by excessive use of handcuffs, as well as testimony from his wife confirming that he was held in complete isolation in a disciplinary cell.
At his most recent appearance during a closed hearing on 25 November 2025, Abdel Fattah reportedly appeared in a state of severe psychological distress and nervous collapse, while being deliberately denied essential medical care. This raises serious concerns about potentially fatal consequences resulting from prolonged shackling and physical abuse.
We recall that Saudi Arabia is a State Party to the Convention against Torture, and that the practices inflicted upon Abdel Fattah—including physical assault, prolonged solitary confinement, denial of family visits, and barring relatives and observers from attending court hearings—constitute grave violations of international law and the Arab Charter on Human Rights.
The continued detention of Amr Abdel Fattah under such conditions is not merely unlawful; it represents a flagrant violation of human dignity that human rights organizations will not tolerate or ignore.
Accordingly, the undersigned organizations call for the following:
First: From the Saudi authorities
The immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Amr Abdel Fattah, ensuring his physical and psychological integrity, and the dismissal of all retaliatory charges related to freedom of expression.
Immediate disclosure of his place of detention and unrestricted access for his family to communicate with and visit him.
Immediate provision of necessary and urgent medical care, in light of documented deterioration in his physical and mental health.
Full transparency of judicial proceedings, including access for international observers and family members, and the guarantee of effective legal representation.
An independent, impartial investigation into allegations of torture and death threats, with accountability for those responsible and full responsibility assumed by Saudi authorities for his safety.
Second: From the French government
To move beyond the framework of “quiet diplomacy” and routine consular engagement and to undertake firm, concrete measures to protect its citizen from an imminent risk of slow death.
To ensure the presence of independent observers at forthcoming hearings and to abandon the policy of diplomatic silence.
Third: From the United Nations
To activate emergency mechanisms through the relevant Special Rapporteurs to investigate allegations of torture and enforced disappearance and to place the victim under effective international legal protection.
Silence in the face of what Amr Abdel Fattah is enduring amounts to tacit approval of systematic repression.
Pressure from all stakeholders in the human rights community must continue unabated until Amr is reunited with his children and justice is served.
1- EFDI International Organization – Belgium
2- Justice for Human Rights (JHR)
3- El-Shehab Center for Human Rights – London
4- Alkarama – Geneva
5- Association of Victims of Torture – Geneva
6- Solidarity for Human Rights – Geneva
7- Free Voice Organization for the Defense of Human Rights – Paris
8- SAM for Rights and Liberties
9- Human Rights Monitor – London
10- Tawasul for Human Rights – Netherlands
11- Cedar for Legal Studies – Lebanon
12- Egyptian Rights Council – Geneva