Saudi engineer Abdullah Al-Khudaidi imprisoned for advocating people with physical disabilities’ rights
Seven years have passed since the detention and enforced disappearance of Saudi detainee Abdullah Al-Khudaidi. He did not commit any crimes, other than advocating for people with physical disabilities’ social and employment rights.
Back in July 2018, Abdullah Al-Khudaidi tweeted multiple times, expressing his disapproval of violating people with physical disabilities’ social and employment opportunities. However, the Saudi authorities had a different view, and detained him in an unknown place for even his family.
The family made every effort to disclose his whereabouts and detention conditions, particularly given his difficult health situation—he has heart disease and a disability in his hand, and he needs special medical care. However, the authorities disregarded their requests, and as of right now, neither his legal status nor his detention conditions were revealed.
Abdullah Al-Khudaidi graduated from Canada with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He wished to finish his career in business and education and help bring about the renaissance of his native country by going back home. Unfortunately, he ran into harsh reality and was unable to fit in with a society strictly governed. He found himself imprisoned and facing an uncertain future when he attempted to protest.
Together for Justice is once again urging international systems, civil society groups, and human rights advocates to condemn the Saudi regime’s abuses and to take more concrete steps fro the release of political prisoners, including engineer Abdullah Al-Khudaidi. They should also make sure that these prisoners receive all of their rights and launch an immediate investigation into the abuses they endured.
The human rights organisation further states that permitting autocratic governments, such as the Saudi regime, to grow and solidify their bases will have a detrimental impact not only on Saudi citizens but also on people worldwide, with the events in Yemen serving as an excellent illustration. Hence, in order to stop the Saudi regime’s abuses and crimes against human rights, strong action must be taken.
