Saudi Arabia Must End Arbitrary Detention of Human Rights Defender Issa Al-Hamid
The ongoing imprisonment of Saudi human rights activist Issa Al-Hamid stands as a glaring example of Saudi Arabia’s relentless suppression of dissent and peaceful advocacy for democratic reform. Al-Hamid, a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), has been serving an 11-year prison sentence since his arrest in 2017. His only “crime” was exercising his right to free expression and advocating for basic rights, such as an independent judiciary and the establishment of a parliament.
Al-Hamid’s prosecution was riddled with violations of due process and fair trial standards. He was charged with baseless accusations such as “defaming religious scholars,” “participating in an unlicensed organization,” and “communicating with international organizations to tarnish the kingdom’s reputation.” In addition to his prison term, Al-Hamid faces an 11-year travel ban and a financial penalty of 100,000 Saudi riyals, reflecting the authorities’ strategy of imposing severe penalties to silence peaceful reformists.
Since his imprisonment, Al-Hamid has been held in Buraydah Prison in the Qassim region, in conditions raising serious concerns about compliance with international human rights standards. Denied meaningful access to legal counsel and limited in his ability to communicate with his family, his detention exemplifies the systemic repression that characterizes Saudi Arabia’s approach to human rights activists.
Issa Al-Hamid’s ordeal is part of a broader campaign of collective punishment targeting his family. His elder brother, Abdullah Al-Hamid, a co-founder of ACPRA and a prominent advocate for human rights, died in April 2020 while in custody due to medical negligence. Despite suffering a severe stroke, Abdullah was denied urgent medical care, leading to his untimely death. Their brother, Abdulrahman Al-Hamid, is also serving a nine-year prison sentence for his peaceful activism. This targeted persecution of the Al-Hamid family underscores the kingdom’s use of familial retaliation to deter dissent.
The Saudi government’s crackdown on ACPRA and its members reflects its broader assault on civil society. ACPRA was established to promote political and civil liberties, but its members were systematically prosecuted, with sentences ranging from four to 15 years in prison, travel bans, and baseless charges under anti-terrorism laws. The organization’s dissolution and the harsh treatment of its members highlight the kingdom’s intolerance of peaceful calls for reform.
International human rights bodies have consistently condemned Saudi Arabia’s treatment of activists like Issa Al-Hamid. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has classified such detentions as violations of international law, urging Saudi authorities to release prisoners of conscience. Despite this, the kingdom continues to flout international norms and escalate its repression of fundamental freedoms.
Together for Justice calls on Saudi Arabia to immediately and unconditionally release Issa Al-Hamid and all other prisoners of conscience, ensure accountability for the death of Abdullah Al-Hamid, and cease its practice of collective punishment against activists and their families. The international community must intensify pressure on Saudi Arabia to uphold its human rights obligations and bring an end to its repressive practices. The persecution of Issa Al-Hamid and his family is a stark reminder of the kingdom’s systematic disregard for human rights and the urgent need for global action to protect those who stand for justice and democracy in Saudi Arabia
