Saudi Arabia

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محمد البجادي

Saudi Arabia: Mohammed Al-Bajadi, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist, Targeted for a New Trial Two Years After Completing His Sentence

According to human rights sources, Saudi authorities are reportedly planning to retry lawyer Mohammed Saleh Al-Bajadi, even though he completed his sentence in 2023. 

Alkarama had already referred the case of lawyer and human rights defender Mohammed Al-Bajadi to the United Nations Special Procedures on human rights. According to the account Prisoners of Conscience, the court now plans to retry him. 

09 Oct 2025
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FIFA home

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup Bid: Communication Filed with UN and FIFA Over Failure to prevent Human Rights Violations

In a renewed effort to demand accountability and uphold human rights in Saudi Arabia, Alkarama has submitted on 23 July 2025 a new communication to both UN Special Procedures and FIFA concerning the attribution of the 2034 FIFA World Cup to the Kingdom.

28 Jul 2025
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الداعية اليمني محمد الوادعي

Saudi Arabia: UN Experts Condemn the Detention of Yemeni Preacher Mohammed Al-Wadaei

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) issued Opinion No. 31/2025, concluding that the detention of Yemeni national Mohammed Ali Hussein Al-Wadaei in Saudi Arabia is arbitrary and violates international human rights law. The Group called for his immediate release as well as full reparation. 

18 Jul 2025
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Saudi Arabia
Our concerns
  • Systematic practice of torture and arbitrary detention, including prolonged detention devoid of any legal basis;
  • Abusive counter-terrorism measures and unfair trials before the Specialised Criminal Court, often resulting in the death penalty ;
  • Severe repression of freedom of expression through arrests and arbitrary detention of peaceful dissidents, including human rights defenders;
  • Severe violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Yemen.

 

Human Rights Instruments
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
ICCPR Ratified ?
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Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (UNCAT)
UNCAT Ratified ?
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UNCAT Ratification Date
OPCAT (National Preventive Mechanism) Ratified ?
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National Preventive Mechanism (OPCAT) created ?
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Date of last Concluding Observations by Committee against Torture (CAT)
Click here for the last Concluding Observations
Next CAT State Report Due
OVERDUE - State party did not submit report on time
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED)
ICPPED Ratified ?
✖
Human Rights Council
Date last Universal Period Review (UPR)
UPR Next Review
Click here for the last UPR documents
Membership of Human Rights Council:

2006-2012, 2014-2019

National Human Rights Institution
National Society for Human Rights
Accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
None
Latest Reports
استضافة السعودية كأس العالم 2034

SAUDI ARABIA : Report "2034 WORLD CUP BID FIFA and partners fail to meet human rights due diligence obligations"

On 30 October 2024, Alkarama submitted an urgent complaint to the Working Group on Business and Human Rights copying other concerned mandate holders regarding FIFA’s expedited bidding process for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Saudi Arabia
Thematic
Saudi Arabia UPR

Saudi Arabia: Universal Periodic Review 2023 - 4th Cycle - Alkarama's submission to the Stakeholders' Summary

Saudi Arabia
Universal Periodic Review
Report
مشاركة الكرامة في أشغال لجنة مناهضة التعذيب

Submission of the list of issues and questions for the consideration of the 3rd periodic review of Saudi Arabia by the Committee against Torture

SAUDI ARABIA Torture, cruel and inhuman treatment: increased concerns in the Covid-19 pandemic context

Saudi Arabia
Committee Against Torture
Report

Saudi Arabia : Human Rights Council Branch-Complaint Procedure

Saudi Arabia
Special Procedures
Report
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Saudi Arabia: Universal Periodic Review - 3rd Cycle - Alkarama's Report - March 2018

Saudi Arabia
Universal Periodic Review
Report
More Reports