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Saudi Arabia Must Release Educator Ahmed Lafi Al-Mutairi: Five Years of Unjust Detention Without Trial

The continued detention of Saudi educator and activist Ahmed Lafi Al-Mutairi is a glaring example of Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on peaceful expression. Arrested in May 2020 for expressing his views on Twitter, Al-Mutairi has now spent nearly five years in custody without trial, raising serious concerns about his health, his legal status, and the broader implications for human rights in Saudi Arabia. 

Al-Mutairi’s case is emblematic of a systematic campaign to silence dissent in the Kingdom. Over recent years, hundreds of individuals—including journalists, writers, academics, and ordinary citizens—have been detained merely for expressing their opinions online. These detentions, which often occur under vague charges such as “disrupting public order” or “undermining national security,” are a direct violation of international human rights standards, particularly Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression. 

As a respected figure in the Saudi educational community, Al-Mutairi’s disappearance has sent shockwaves through his peers and human rights organizations worldwide. The Saudi government has provided no transparency regarding his current condition or the charges against him, further fueling concerns about his physical and psychological well-being. His prolonged detention without trial violates not only international law but also Saudi Arabia’s domestic legal framework. Article 2 of the Saudi Law of Criminal Procedure explicitly prohibits arbitrary detention and guarantees that detainees must be informed of their charges and brought promptly before a court. 

Reports from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented widespread mistreatment of detainees in Saudi prisons. Detainees are often subjected to physical and psychological abuse, denied access to adequate medical care, and prevented from communicating with their families or legal representatives. Al-Mutairi’s family has repeatedly appealed for information about his condition, but their pleas have been met with silence. This lack of transparency not only exacerbates the family’s anguish but also underscores the need for international scrutiny and pressure. 

The case of Ahmed Lafi Al-Mutairi is a stark reminder of Saudi Arabia’s disregard for its obligations under international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it is a signatory. Article 9 of the Covenant prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, while Article 14 guarantees the right to a fair trial. Al-Mutairi’s prolonged detention without trial or legal justification stands in clear violation of these principles. 

The continued targeting of individuals like Al-Mutairi is particularly troubling given Saudi Arabia’s claims of reform and modernization under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While the government projects an image of openness and progress, its actions—including the suppression of freedom of expression and the imprisonment of peaceful activists—reveal a starkly different reality. This hypocrisy undermines the Kingdom’s credibility on the global stage and raises questions about the sincerity of its reform agenda. 

We call on the Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ahmed Lafi Al-Mutairi and all other prisoners of conscience. His detention is not only a gross violation of his individual rights but also a dangerous precedent that threatens freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the right to dissent. 

Furthermore, we urge the Saudi government to uphold its commitments to human rights by ensuring transparency, providing detainees with access to fair trials, and holding accountable those responsible for violations of detainees’ rights. We also call on the international community to intensify its pressure on Saudi Arabia to comply with its human rights obligations. Silence in the face of such injustices only enables further repression. 

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