Eight Years of Arbitrary Detention: Khaled Al-Mohawesh Pays the Price for His Humanitarian and Reformist Work
The Saudi regime continues to hold human rights defender and humanitarian activist Khaled Al-Mohawesh in detention for the eighth consecutive year, in blatant violation of international human rights standards. His only “crime” was dedicating his life to supporting orphans, the poor, and the marginalized, and voicing calls for reform and social justice.
Al-Mohawesh, an educator and long-time volunteer, played a leading role in the Abna’ Buraidah Charity Association, providing financial, educational, and social support for orphans. His community work made him a target for the authorities, who perceive any independent, reform-oriented initiative as a threat to their grip on power.
In September 2017, during the mass crackdown that swept across Saudi Arabia targeting academics, activists, and clerics, Al-Mohawesh was arbitrarily arrested without a warrant. From the very beginning, he endured severe psychological torture, incommunicado detention, and complete denial of legal representation.
After four years of arbitrary detention, a secret court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, followed by another 10 years of travel ban. The ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal in closed-door proceedings that fell far short of even the most basic standards of justice.
The violations in his case are numerous:
- Arbitrary arrest in breach of Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Denial of fair trial guarantees under Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- Prosecution based solely on peaceful opinions and humanitarian work.
The ongoing detention of Khaled Al-Mohawesh highlights the systematic misuse of the judiciary in Saudi Arabia as a tool of political repression. His deteriorating conditions raise serious concerns for his health and safety, especially amid widespread reports of deliberate medical neglect in Saudi prisons.
Together for Justice calls for:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Khaled Al-Mohawesh and all prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia.
- Urgent medical care for detainees suffering from poor health due to mistreatment and neglect.
- An end to arbitrary detention and sham trials targeting reformists and activists.
- An independent international investigation into the abuses committed against Al-Mohawesh and other detainees.
After eight long years, Khaled Al-Mohawesh remains a prisoner of conscience, punished not for crimes but for his humanity, integrity, and commitment to justice. His case is a stark reminder that in Saudi Arabia, charity and reform are treated as crimes, and compassion as a threat.
