Six Years of Enforced Disappearance: The Whereabouts of Saudi Journalist Saeed Al-Shahrani Remain Unknown
In late 2019, Saudi authorities arrested well-known journalist and television presenter Saeed Al-Shahrani without a court order or formal charges—marking the beginning of one of the Kingdom’s most troubling cases of enforced disappearance. Six years on, his whereabouts remain entirely unknown. The Saudi government has refused to provide any information, maintaining total silence in flagrant violation of both domestic and international human rights law.
Al-Shahrani, known for hosting popular programs on Bedaya TV, gained a reputation for his courage in addressing socially sensitive issues. He spoke openly on social media, especially when criticising certain state policies. But this boldness came at a high cost: in late 2019, he was forcibly disappeared—taken to an undisclosed location, without any legal process. Since then, no one has seen or heard from him. His family remains in a state of constant fear, especially given the well-documented abuse and neglect inside Saudi detention centres.
To this day, the Saudi authorities have provided no explanation for his arrest or details of his condition. However, credible reports suggest that his critical views—particularly on policies associated with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—may have led to his targeting. Despite repeated appeals by his family and human rights organisations, the regime has continued its blanket policy of denial, refusing to acknowledge his detention or allow any contact.
Saeed Al-Shahrani’s case is emblematic of a broader and worsening pattern in Saudi Arabia, where enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention are used as tools to crush dissent and intimidate the public. The absence of legal representation, fair trial guarantees, and basic transparency in such cases constitutes a gross violation of international human rights standards.
Together for Justice affirms that the continued enforced disappearance of Saeed Al-Shahrani—with no access to legal counsel, no contact with his family, and no formal charges—amounts to a serious crime under international law. The organisation calls for his immediate and unconditional release, an urgent disclosure of his whereabouts, and full accountability for all officials involved in his illegal detention.
His case is part of a much larger crackdown on peaceful critics, journalists, and ordinary citizens in Saudi Arabia. Individuals are routinely detained without warrants, held without trial, subjected to torture or solitary confinement, and denied contact with the outside world. Families are left to suffer in silence, unaware whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
Together for Justice urges the international community to take real, tangible steps to pressure the Saudi regime to halt these ongoing abuses. The organisation demands the release of all those detained solely for exercising their right to free expression, and calls for international legal mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable. As global institutions and governments continue normalising ties with Saudi Arabia, they must not turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses being committed. The case of Saeed Al-Shahrani is a painful reminder of the urgent need for action. His whereabouts remain unknown, and the silence surrounding him speaks volumes about the cost of speaking out in today’s Saudi Arabia.
