Arbitrary Detention Continues: Dr. Adel Banaa’ma Remains Imprisoned Despite Completed Sentence
After nearly seven years of unjust imprisonment, Dr. Adel Banaa’ma remains under arbitrary detention in Saudi Arabia, despite the completion of his six-year sentence in September 2023. Dr. Banaa’ma, a respected scholar, poet, and literary figure, has been subject to severe human rights violations throughout his detention, highlighting the ongoing tragic reality of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Dr. Banaa’ma was arrested from his home in Mecca on September 12, 2017, following a midnight raid in which his house was searched, and his electronic devices, books, and research were confiscated. This arrest occurred without clear legal justification, part of the infamous September 2017 crackdown that targeted intellectuals and academics under the guise of national security.
Since his arrest, Dr. Banaa’ma has been subjected to inhumane treatment, including months of solitary confinement, denial of contact with his family, and the prohibition of legal representation. He has faced intimidation during his detention, including threats to his family, and was unjustly dismissed from his position at Umm Al-Qura University. His health has severely deteriorated due to medical neglect, particularly concerning his stomach and intestinal conditions, which have been exacerbated by the harsh conditions of his imprisonment.
Originally sentenced to four years in prison and an additional four-year travel ban based on baseless charges by the Public Prosecution, Dr. Banaa’ma’s sentence was later unjustly extended to six years with a continued travel ban. Despite the completion of this extended sentence, the Saudi authorities continue to unlawfully detain him, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the rule of law and human rights.
Dr. Banaa’ma’s only crime was exercising his right to freedom of expression—a right enshrined in international human rights law. His ongoing detention and the abusive treatment he has endured underscore the dire state of human rights in Saudi Arabia, where voices of reason and dissent are systematically silenced.
We call upon the Saudi authorities to immediately release Dr. Adel Banaa’ma and end the egregious violations of his rights. The international community must hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its persistent human rights abuses and demand justice for all those wrongfully imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views.
