The U.N condemns Saudi Arabia for the detention of Alhashemi and eight others

Alkarama for Human Rights, 11 January 2008.

This decision is related to the communication Alkarama submitted on 14 Feb, 2007 to the U.N working group appealing for the urgent intervention after the arrest and detention of the following people:

·        Dr. Saud M. Alhashmi: a PhD in Medicine, a human rights activist renowned for striving for constitutional reform in the Kingdom.

·        Dr Alqarni: a university professor, an activist for public freedoms and constitutional reforms.

·        Mr.Suliman Arrushudi : a lawyer and a human rights activist, especially in defending opinion detainees and striving within this framework in order to guarantee the rights of such detainees for a fair trail.

·        Mr.Issam Albishrawi: a lawyer, an activist for public freedom and constitutional reforms.

·        Mr.Abdur-Rahman Ashumairi: A former university professor who was expelled from his job because of his political activism for constitutional reforms.

·        Mr. Abdel-Aziz Alkhuraiji: A PhD in Medicine, an activist for public freedoms and constitutional reforms.

·        Mr. Abdur-Rahman Sadiq Khan: an academic researcher, a public freedoms activist who calls for constitutional reforms.

·        Mr. Shareef Sayfudeen Shaheen: a businessperson, a public freedoms activist who strives for constitutional reforms.

·        Mr. Muhammad Hassan Alqarashi: a businessperson, a public freedoms activist who demands constitutional reforms.

The U.N working group on arbitrary detentions has examined the detainees' situation and noted numerous grave violations of human rights. 

It is noted that these activists, especially Dr. Alhashimi, are known for their public stance on domestic political issues and global affairs, such as the Palestinian issue and the American occupation of Iraq. Moreover, these people were active through the Arab media. The Saudi authorities ordered Dr. Alhashmi not give interviews to Al-Jazeera channel; however, three days prior to his arrest, he appeared on the same channel demanding political reforms in the country.

The Intelligence department arrested the nine activists during their meeting in the house of one of them on February 2nd, 2007. The nine were discussing the foundation of a committee for defending civil/political rights, and the need for constitutional reforms. 

The U.N working group has corresponded with the Saudi government concerning these detentions and demanded answers. However, the authorities claimed that these individual are accused of "supporting and financing terrorism" and are "conducting illegal activities of raising and transferring funds to suspicious parties". In spite of being under covert detention for a long period (Dr. Alhashmi was detained for 156 days), none were charged or notified of legal grounds justifying the detention. In addition, they were not allowed neither to hire nor consult a lawyer. They were also denied the right to challenge the illegality of such detentions before a judicial committee.

Seven of the nine were transferred from Ar-Rowais prison in Jeddah to different places were they were confined to house arrest and were allowed to receive their families. On the other hand, Dr. Alhashmi and Dr. Alqarni is still detained in solitary confinement at Ar-Rowais prison where he is only allowed to receive few family members on very limited occasions. 

It should be noted that Dr. Alhashimi's health is in critical condition due to serious problems in his digestive system and lack of proper medical attention. Furthermore, he went on hunger strike form the 11th to Dec 21, 2007, as a form of protest against the harsh conditions of his detention. He intends to go on a hunger strike again if his detention is prolonged without legal procedures or cause; Dr. Alhashmi believes that the reason for his detention is his peaceful and free expression of his political views.

The U.N working group noted that the Saudi government did not deny the statements of detainees, which affirms the political nature behind the detentions that aim to curb freedom of expression and the right of peaceful assembly. 

The working group also noted that by detaining the nine individuals, the Saudi authorities are violating the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including article 9 (prohibition of arbitrary arrest and detention), article 18 (freedom of opinion and expression), and article 20 (freedom of group formation and freedom of peaceful assembly).

The working group urges the Kingdom to rectify the situation in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to ratify the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.