Six Years of Arbitrary Detention for Journalist Abdulrahman Farahana
The human rights organization Together for Justice reminds the world of the ongoing plight of Jordanian–Palestinian journalist Abdulrahman Mohammad Farahana, now 68 years old, who has been held arbitrarily in Saudi prisons since February 2019. His only “crime” was standing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, calling for an end to Israeli occupation, and urging the international community to act against its crimes.
Background of Arrest
In February 2019, Saudi authorities launched a sweeping arrest campaign against dozens of Palestinian and Jordanian residents. Many were subjected to months of enforced disappearance before being put on trial in secret proceedings that lacked the most basic guarantees of fairness.
Among them was Abdulrahman Farahana, a veteran journalist with a long professional career and an honourable reputation. Despite the absence of material evidence, a Saudi court sentenced him to 19 years in prison, later reduced to nine years. Today, after more than six and a half years behind bars, he remains imprisoned under harsh and inhumane conditions.
Conditions of Detention
Farahana was initially subjected to enforced disappearance and later placed in solitary confinement. He continues to suffer from deliberate medical neglect, exacerbated by his advanced age and chronic health conditions. Saudi authorities deny him regular family contact and adequate medical care, in clear violation of international human rights standards that guarantee the rights of elderly and sick detainees.
These practices reflect a broader policy of targeting Palestinians and Jordanians in Saudi Arabia under the pretext of “supporting resistance,” when in reality, such measures align with the political interests of Israel and the Saudi regime’s deepening ties with it.
Political Dimension
Farahana’s case highlights how Saudi authorities have turned support for Palestine into a punishable offense. While atrocities against civilians in Gaza intensify, Saudi Arabia continues to imprison those who advocate for Palestinian rights. This reality exposes the contradiction between the regime’s glossy public image of “reform” and the repressive reality faced by detainees.
Call for Action
Together for Justice affirms that Farahana’s detention constitutes a grave violation of international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture. We therefore call for:
- Immediate and unconditional release of Abdulrahman Farahana and all prisoners of conscience.
- Dropping all politically motivated charges based on coerced confessions.
- Allowing international observers, including UN special rapporteurs, to visit Saudi prisons.
- Accountability for those responsible for these violations.
After more than six years of injustice, Abdulrahman Farahana remains a symbol of the heavy price paid by those who defend the Palestinian cause. His continued detention is a stain on the conscience of the world. The international community must act urgently to end this injustice before his health deteriorates further and his life is lost behind bars.
