Seven Years of Injustice: Yusuf Al-Mulhim’s Detention for a Call to Peace

Yusuf Al-Mulhim, a respected Saudi businessman and prominent social media voice, has been imprisoned for seven years under unjust circumstances. His only “crime” was posting a tweet on September 9, 2017, calling for reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar during the height of the Gulf crisis. Following a phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Yusuf expressed hope for peace, writing:
“A promising step, and hopefully things will be resolved in a way that ensures the interests, security, and stability of the nations, and ends this ridiculousness.”
Despite its optimistic tone, the tweet led to Yusuf’s arrest on accusations of “communicating with external entities to incite unrest” and “destabilizing the kingdom.” These baseless charges resulted in his referral to a secret trial in October 2018, where he was sentenced to imprisonment without access to legal representation or fair due process.
Yusuf Al-Mulhim’s arrest and detention reflect Saudi Arabia’s alarming crackdown on free speech and peaceful advocacy. A successful businessman with a clean record and a reputation for integrity, Yusuf was targeted for voicing a sentiment aligned with the eventual reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar during the Al-Ula Summit in January 2021. Yet, even after political ties between the two nations were restored, Yusuf remains imprisoned, his hope for dialogue and unity met with harsh punishment instead of recognition.
This stark contradiction between Saudi Arabia’s outward reconciliation efforts and its continued detention of individuals like Yusuf underscores the systematic repression faced by anyone daring to express views that diverge from state narratives. His family, like many others, suffers the profound emotional toll of his unjust imprisonment, while his children grow up deprived of their father.
The ongoing detention of Yusuf Al-Mulhim represents a grave violation of fundamental rights enshrined in international law. His case stands as a clear breach of:
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.”
Saudi Arabia’s failure to respect these principles not only undermines its international credibility but also perpetuates a climate of fear and repression. The imprisonment of Yusuf Al-Mulhim is emblematic of the broader suppression of free speech and dissent in the kingdom, where calls for peace and unity are met with accusations of sedition.
We call on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Yusuf Al-Mulhim and all others detained for their peaceful opinions. Justice demands that his case be re-evaluated, his charges dropped, and his rights restored. Furthermore, we urge the international community, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its actions and demand justice for Yusuf and countless other prisoners of conscience.
The detention of Yusuf Al-Mulhim for a simple call to peace is an affront to justice and humanity. It is time for Saudi Arabia to end its repression and uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens and residents.