Abdullah Al-Mubaraki: Four Years of Enforced Disappearance Under Official Silence

More than four years have passed since the arrest of Abdullah Al-Mubaraki, yet his fate remains unknown, in a case that starkly illustrates the expanding use of enforced disappearance in Saudi Arabia. On 22 July 2021, security forces reportedly raided his home in the coastal city of Yanbu and detained him without presenting a warrant or disclosing the reasons for his arrest. From that moment onward, all contact with him ceased.

Since his detention, authorities have neither revealed his place of imprisonment nor publicly announced any formal charges against him. His family has been denied access, and no lawyer has been permitted to meet with him. The complete absence of official information and the prolonged denial of legal safeguards place his case squarely within the definition of enforced disappearance under international legal standards. Such continued concealment constitutes a grave violation of the right to liberty and security of person.

Available information indicates that Al-Mubaraki’s arrest was linked to his peaceful activity on social media, where he called for political reforms, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights. He was not accused of violent conduct; rather, his case appears rooted in the peaceful expression of opinion. The decision to conceal his whereabouts instead of subjecting him to a transparent judicial process intensifies concerns about the legality of his detention.

The sustained secrecy surrounding his case raises serious fears regarding his physical and psychological well-being. Enforced disappearance not only deprives an individual of liberty but also places them outside the protection of the law, creating conditions in which ill-treatment or coercion can occur without scrutiny. The prolonged duration of his disappearance reflects a broader pattern in which enforced disappearance is used as a tool to silence critical voices.

Together for Justice holds the Saudi authorities fully responsible for Abdullah Al-Mubaraki’s safety and life. Any future judicial proceedings would lack legitimacy if based on statements obtained under coercion or without due process guarantees. Continued concealment of his status undermines the rule of law and deepens concerns about systemic violations of fundamental rights.

Together for Justice calls for the immediate disclosure of his whereabouts, access to his family and legal counsel, and either his prompt presentation before an independent court that meets international fair trial standards or his unconditional release. Ongoing international silence in the face of such cases risks normalizing enforced disappearance and perpetuating a climate of impunity for grave human rights violations.