37Months of Enforced Disappearance: The Case of Mohammed Matar Al-Shalwi Highlights Ongoing Violations Beyond Legal Oversight
Together for Justice renews its call for the immediate disclosure of the fate and whereabouts of Saudi citizen Mohammed Matar Al-Shalwi, who has now spent 37 months in enforced disappearance since his return to Saudi Arabia in April 2023, amid complete official silence and the absence of any information regarding his legal status or place of detention.
According to available information, Al-Shalwi disappeared shortly after returning from Australia, without any formal announcement of his arrest, without being brought before a judicial authority, and without being allowed to contact his family or appoint legal counsel. Prior to his return, he recorded a video expressing fear of being detained due to his peaceful political views—fears that materialised upon his arrival.
The circumstances of his case clearly fall within the definition of enforced disappearance under international law, which involves the deprivation of liberty by state authorities followed by a refusal to acknowledge the detention or disclose the fate or whereabouts of the individual. The continued concealment of his situation renders this a continuing violation that triggers ongoing legal responsibility.
This case also represents a direct breach of domestic legal safeguards, which require that detainees be referred to competent authorities within a defined timeframe and granted access to legal representation and family contact—protections that have not been respected in this instance.
Al-Shalwi’s case has drawn international attention, including coverage by international media and references in official human rights reporting, highlighting concerns over violations of freedom of expression and the absence of judicial guarantees.
From a legal perspective, enforced disappearance constitutes one of the most serious human rights violations, as it simultaneously infringes upon multiple fundamental rights, including the right to liberty and security of person, the right to a fair trial, and protection from torture or ill-treatment, particularly in situations where detention is carried out in secrecy and without oversight.
The continued refusal of Saudi authorities to respond to repeated calls for information reflects a broader pattern in which individuals are held outside the protection of the law, in violation of international obligations.
Accordingly, Together for Justice calls for the immediate disclosure of Mohammed Al-Shalwi’s fate and place of detention, guarantees of his safety, and full access to legal counsel and family contact. The organization further calls for his immediate release unless he is formally charged with a recognizable criminal offence, in which case he must be brought before a competent court in proceedings that meet international standards of fairness.
Together for Justice also urges relevant United Nations mechanisms, particularly the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, to take urgent action and apply sustained pressure to end this ongoing violation.
The fact that 37 months have passed without any official acknowledgment of Al-Shalwi’s fate is not merely a legal failure—it is evidence of a system in which individuals can be removed from legal protection altogether, making continued advocacy both a legal and moral necessity.
