Saudi Arabia Denies International Oversight in Trials of Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani

Together for Justice strongly condemns the continued lack of transparency and fairness in the Saudi judicial system, as seen in the recent denial of international monitors from attending the trial of prisoners of conscience Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani.

In yet another alarming display of Saudi Arabia’s disregard for international human rights standards, the Saudi authorities recently barred international observers from attending a new trial session for Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani. Both women were previously sentenced to 27 years and 45 years in prison, respectively, for expressing peaceful opinions on social media. This latest case only deepens concerns over the fairness and legality of trials in the kingdom, further demonstrating the severe violations of basic human rights.

Denial of Oversight: A Clear Violation of Justice

The refusal to allow international observers to attend these critical court sessions signals a broader issue within Saudi Arabia’s judicial system: the complete lack of transparency and accountability. The absence of international oversight makes it impossible to ensure that the trials meet even the most basic standards of justice.

In the case of Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani, Saudi authorities have consistently refused them the right to a fair trial, starting from the very beginning of their ordeal. Both women were convicted on vague and politically motivated charges related to their social media activity, and they were denied legal representation throughout the legal proceedings.

The secretive nature of their trials, combined with the refusal to allow independent observers, only highlights the sham nature of Saudi legal proceedings, which are routinely used to silence critics of the regime. By keeping international eyes away from these trials, Saudi Arabia continues to act with impunity, free from scrutiny and free from accountability.

Trials in Saudi Arabia: A System of Repression

Saudi Arabia’s judicial system has become a notorious tool for repression. The Specialized Criminal Court, originally established to try terrorism cases, has now become a venue for convicting peaceful dissidents, activists, and critics under the guise of national security. Trials are held in secret, charges are often baseless or politically motivated, and defendants are routinely denied access to lawyers, evidence, or even knowledge of the full charges against them.

In the cases of Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani, their only “crime” was sharing peaceful opinions on social media—yet they were sentenced to decades in prison. The situation is made worse by the inhumane conditions both women are forced to endure in prison, including poor living conditions, isolation, and denial of medical care.

The lack of fair trials violates international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which guarantee the right to a fair trial and freedom of expression. Saudi Arabia’s consistent refusal to adhere to these standards highlights the authoritarian nature of the regime, which uses the judicial system as a weapon to crush dissent.

A New Case: An Escalation in Repression

Disturbingly, Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani are now facing a new trial, despite already being unjustly imprisoned. The details of this new case remain shrouded in secrecy, further emphasizing the lack of transparency in Saudi legal proceedings. The fact that they are being put on trial again, after having already been sentenced to long prison terms, is a clear indication of the regime’s intent to continue silencing them, ensuring that their suffering extends even further.

This escalation in their legal ordeal is a stark reminder that in Saudi Arabia, the punishment for peaceful dissent can be endless. The judicial system is weaponized not to deliver justice, but to maintain the regime’s grip on power by making examples of anyone who dares to speak out.

A Call for International Pressure and Accountability

The international community must not turn a blind eye to these violations. The denial of international oversight in these trials is a deliberate attempt to hide the injustice and repression that defines the Saudi judicial system.

Together for Justice calls on international human rights organizations, governments, and the United Nations to increase pressure on the Saudi government to allow international monitors to attend trials and ensure that basic human rights standards are upheld. The continued detention and mistreatment of prisoners of conscience like Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani must be met with global condemnation and a demand for their immediate release.

Demand for Change

The systemic failures of Saudi Arabia’s judicial system will not change without sustained international attention and pressure. The kingdom has long evaded accountability for its human rights abuses by keeping its repressive measures hidden from the world. The refusal to allow international observers to monitor trials is just the latest example of how Saudi authorities manipulate the judicial process to maintain control and suppress dissent.

We demand that Saudi Arabia end its use of secret trials, ensure fair legal representation for all defendants, and respect the basic rights of freedom of expression and due process. Only by holding the regime accountable can we hope to end the cycle of repression that continues to devastate the lives of peaceful dissidents like Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani.

The denial of international oversight in the trials of Salma Al-Shehab and Noura Al-Qahtani is a direct violation of their right to a fair trial and a clear indication of the broader repressive measures employed by the Saudi regime. As the world watches, it is essential that international pressure is ramped up to force Saudi Arabia to respect human rights and release all prisoners of conscience. The ongoing persecution of these two women, and many others like them, is a dark stain on the Saudi justice system, and it is time for the world to demand accountability.

Together for Justice stands in full solidarity with Salma and Noura and will continue to fight for their freedom and the freedom of all those unjustly imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.