Saudi Arabia | Alkarama Foundation

Saudi Arabia: UN Working Group calls for the immediate release of human rights defender Mohammad Al Otaibi

12 Apr 2019

On April 3, 2019 and on the request of Alkarama, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) issued a decision calling for the immediate release of Saudi human rights defender Mohammad Abdullah Al Otaibi, who was arrested on May 24, 2017, at the Hamad International Airport in Doha by Qatari security forces, and then forcibly deported to Saudi Arabia on May 28, 2017.

Saudi Arabia’s Universal Periodic Review outcome: Yet another set of superficial reforms?

27 Mar 2019

On March 14, 2019, the UN Human Rights Council (

Saudi Arabia: Third UPR cycle sheds light on the country’s appalling human rights record

15 Nov 2018

On November 9, 2018, the United Nations Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) adopted a draft report following the review of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record on November 5, 2018.

Our concerns

Consistent pattern of torture and arbitrary detention, including prolonged detention without any legal basis;
Abusive counter-terrorism measures and heavily flawed trials before the Specialised Criminal Court, often leading to the imposition of the death penalty;
Severe crackdown on freedom of expression and arbitrary detention of peaceful dissidents, including human rights defenders;
Grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Yemen.

Human Rights Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

ICCPR Ratified ?

✖

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (UNCAT)

UNCAT Ratified ?

✔

UNCAT Ratification Date

23 Sep 1997