A Decade of Injustice: Together for Justice Calls for Immediate Release of Waleed Abu Al-Khair
Together for Justice calls on the international community to intervene urgently to secure the release of Saudi human rights lawyer and activist Waleed Abu Al-Khair, who has been unjustly detained for over ten years. Abu Al-Khair, known for his tireless defense of political detainees and marginalized communities in Saudi Arabia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a politically motivated trial that lacked basic legal safeguards.
Systematic Repression and Inhumane Conditions
Arrested in April 2014 for refusing to sign an agreement to cease his human rights work, Abu Al-Khair has been subjected to grave injustices, including psychological and physical abuse, denial of legal representation, and detention under degrading and inhumane conditions. Reports from trusted sources indicate that his health has deteriorated significantly due to deliberate medical neglect. Prison authorities at Dhahban Prison in Jeddah have denied him access to necessary medical care, placing his life at severe risk.
Earlier this year, Abu Al-Khair was reportedly subjected to a violent attack by criminal inmates, instigated by a senior prison official. Instead of holding the perpetrators accountable, authorities placed Abu Al-Khair in solitary confinement, further exacerbating his suffering.
A Symbol of Resistance Against Repression
Waleed Abu Al-Khair’s activism began in 2008 when he founded the Saudi Human Rights Observatory, an organization blocked by Saudi authorities. His defense of political detainees during the Arab Spring and his outspoken criticism of Saudi government practices made him a target of systematic harassment and unjust prosecution.
In 2014, he was charged under Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism laws for his peaceful activism, fined 200,000 SAR, and banned from travel for 15 years post-release. His trial, riddled with legal violations, serves as a stark reminder of the Saudi regime’s disregard for international human rights norms.
Urgent Call to Action
The continued imprisonment of Waleed Abu Al-Khair represents a broader crackdown on dissent and civil liberties in Saudi Arabia. Together for Justice urges global leaders, human rights organizations, and the international community to pressure Saudi authorities to:
- Immediately release Waleed Abu Al-Khair and all other political prisoners.
- Provide him with the urgent medical care he desperately needs.
- Ensure accountability for those responsible for his mistreatment.
- The release of Waleed Abu Al-Khair is vital to safeguarding human rights in Saudi Arabia and fostering stability and reconciliation within the kingdom.
Together for Justice calls on all who believe in freedom and justice to amplify Waleed Abu Al-Khair’s case and demand his immediate release.
