Over 1,065 Days Behind Bars for a Song: Free Saudi Rapper Omar Shibouba

Saudi rapper Omar Shibouba has spent more than 1,065 days in detention since his arrest in March 2022 for simply expressing his views through music. His continued imprisonment is a stark reminder of Saudi Arabia’s relentless crackdown on freedom of expression. Despite the government’s efforts to project an image of modernization and reform, cases like Shibouba’s reveal the reality of systematic repression against those who dare to speak out.
Shibouba was arrested after performing a rap song that openly criticized corruption and social injustices in Saudi Arabia. His lyrics resonated with many who saw his music as a reflection of the harsh realities within the kingdom. However, rather than tolerating peaceful artistic expression, the Saudi authorities responded with swift and severe repression. Shortly after his performance, he became the target of a state-sponsored smear campaign on social media, where pro-government accounts accused him of inciting rebellion and threatening national stability—an all-too-common tactic used to justify political arrests.
Since his detention, Shibouba has been held in complete isolation, denied access to his family, and deprived of legal representation. His case exemplifies the Saudi government’s broader pattern of silencing dissent through arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and psychological and physical mistreatment of detainees. The absence of any legal proceedings or transparency regarding his case further underscores the violation of his fundamental rights.
Shibouba’s imprisonment violates multiple international human rights treaties, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression, and Article 9, which prohibits arbitrary detention. Saudi Arabia’s continued persecution of individuals based on their peaceful expression contradicts its obligations as a member of the United Nations and its claimed commitment to reform under Vision 2030.
While Saudi authorities promote a narrative of cultural openness and artistic expansion, the imprisonment of a rapper for his music exposes the hypocrisy of these claims. The continued detention of Omar Shibouba and other political prisoners does not demonstrate strength—it reveals a government fearful of criticism, even in the form of art.
Together for Justice calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Omar Shibouba and all those imprisoned for exercising their right to free speech. We urge the international community, human rights organizations, and governments to take decisive action to pressure Saudi Arabia into ending its systematic suppression of fundamental freedoms.
Omar Shibouba’s story is not just about one artist behind bars—it is a symbol of a state that criminalizes creativity and dissent. His voice may have been silenced in prison, but his message must not be forgotten. The fight for justice and human rights in Saudi Arabia continues, and the world must not turn a blind eye.