Eight Years Since the Arrest of Dr. Razin Al-Razin and the World’s Silence Gives the Regime License to Continue Its Repression
Eight full years have passed since the arrest of Saudi lawyer and academic Dr. Razin Al-Razin, one of the most prominent voices advocating for rights and reform in the kingdom, without any sign of a fair trial or even disclosure of his fate. His arrest in September 2017 was part of the wide-scale crackdown carried out by the Saudi authorities against hundreds of activists, thinkers, and religious figures—men and women alike—in a systematic effort to strip society of every independent voice.
Dr. Al-Razin was never an adversary to his country; he was a principled national figure who dedicated his career to defending citizens’ rights—whether as a professor at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University or as the head of the executive council of the Consumer Protection Association, where he stood firmly against corruption, exploitation, and the influence of powerful networks protected by the state. His integrity and advocacy made him a target in a system that does not tolerate criticism nor welcomes reformist voices.
Since his arrest on 30 September 2017, the Saudi authorities have maintained complete secrecy over his case. They have concealed his place of detention, denied his family and legal representatives any access, and refused to confirm whether he has ever been brought before a judge. Reliable sources report that he has been subjected to severe violations from the moment of his detention, including enforced disappearance, physical and psychological torture, continuous humiliation, and prolonged solitary confinement that has cut him off from the outside world for years.
Meanwhile, pro-government media attempted to justify his arrest with baseless allegations of “terrorism financing,” a familiar tactic used by the regime to smear and silence any independent voice. The truth remains clear: Dr. Al-Razin was targeted because he confronted corruption and called for reform, not because he posed any threat to public safety.
His continued detention for eight years without due process or transparent legal procedures amounts to a serious violation of international law and the treaties Saudi Arabia has ratified. The persistence of this case without accountability reflects the international community’s inability—or unwillingness—to confront the grave human rights abuses occurring in the kingdom.
Together for Justice reminds the world that Dr. Razin Al-Razin is still held in unknown and harsh conditions, and that global silence has only strengthened the authorities’ resolve to persist in their repression. His case is not merely a story of arrest; it is a testament to the heavy price paid by anyone who dares to demand dignity, freedom, and the rule of law in Saudi Arabia. Together for Justice stresses that the time has come for the international community to act with seriousness and responsibility, and to end the pattern of normalization and indifference toward Saudi Arabia’s abuses. Eight years of isolation, torture, and enforced disappearance constitute a crime that must not be ignored. Turning away from Dr. Al-Razin’s suffering is no less dangerous than the violations committed against him, and silence in the face of injustice is complicity in it.
