The Al-Hamid Family: Saudi Arabia’s Ruthless Campaign Against Human Rights Activists

Saudi Arabia, a country notorious for its severe crackdown on dissent and human rights activism, has once again demonstrated its ruthless determination to silence voices calling for reform. The tragic story of the Al-Hamid family is a stark reminder of the oppressive lengths to which the Saudi regime will go to maintain its grip on power.

Issa al-Hamid: A Voice for Justice Silenced

Issa al-Hamid, a prominent human rights activist, played a pivotal role in founding the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), known as “HASM.” This independent organization courageously advocated for the basic human rights of all Saudi citizens, including the right to political participation, the establishment of an elected parliament, and the creation of an independent judiciary. In a country where such demands are met with brutal repression, HASM’s work was nothing short of revolutionary.

However, the Saudi authorities responded to HASM’s peaceful activism with swift and severe punishment. In 2013, the government dissolved the organization, arresting its members, including Issa al-Hamid. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, followed by an additional 11-year travel ban and a hefty fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals. His so-called “crimes” included defaming religious scholars, insulting the judiciary, participating in an unlicensed organization, and communicating with international organizations to tarnish the kingdom’s image.

Since his arrest on September 16, 2017, Issa al-Hamid has been languishing in Buraydah Prison in the Qassim region. His trial, like those of many human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia, was a travesty of justice, lacking even the most basic standards of a fair trial.

The Al-Hamid Family: A Case of Collective Punishment

Issa al-Hamid’s plight is not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign of collective punishment against his family. His brother, Abdulrahman al-Hamid, was similarly sentenced to nine years in prison. Their elder brother, Abdullah al-Hamid, often referred to as the “Sheikh of Saudi human rights,” was also a co-founder of HASM. Tragically, Abdullah died in custody in April 2020 after suffering from deliberate medical neglect—a fate that amounts to a slow execution by the Saudi authorities.

Abdullah al-Hamid’s death in custody is a tragic example of the kingdom’s disregard for human life. After suffering a severe stroke on April 9, 2020, Abdullah was left without the urgent medical care he needed. The authorities, despite being fully aware of his critical condition, refused to release him or provide the necessary treatment, leading to his death on April 23, 2020.

The Al-Hamid family’s persecution is emblematic of the Saudi regime’s intolerance of dissent. Their only “crime” was to demand a democratic and constitutional monarchy in a country where such calls are treated as existential threats to the ruling elite. The family’s suffering is a clear example of the collective punishment meted out by the Saudi authorities to silence entire families and deter others from speaking out.

The Destruction of HASM and the Broader Crackdown

The story of HASM is a testament to the Saudi regime’s relentless war on human rights. Formed with the noble aim of securing civil and political rights for all Saudis, the organization was quickly crushed by a government intent on maintaining absolute control. Its members were arrested on spurious charges under a terrorism law that is intentionally vague and broad, allowing the regime to imprison anyone who dares to challenge its authority.

HASM members received harsh sentences ranging from four to 15 years in prison, followed by lengthy travel bans. The charges against them included “insulting state officials,” “questioning the integrity of the judiciary,” and “encouraging international organizations to act against Saudi Arabia”—all for peacefully advocating for human rights and political reform.

International Outcry and Saudi Arabia’s Defiance

The international community has not been silent on the plight of the Al-Hamid family and other HASM members. The United Nations Special Procedures and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention have issued multiple complaints, expressing grave concern over the arbitrary detention and unfair trials of HASM members. In 2020, the UN Secretary-General highlighted their cases in his report on reprisals against individuals cooperating with UN human rights mechanisms. Despite this international outcry, the Saudi regime remains defiant.

A Call for Justice and Accountability
The story of the Al-Hamid family is a sobering reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in Saudi Arabia. Their persecution, along with the destruction of HASM, illustrates the lengths to which the Saudi regime will go to suppress dissent and maintain its authoritarian rule.

It is imperative that the international community intensifies its pressure on Saudi Arabia to release all political prisoners, including Issa and Abdulrahman al-Hamid, and to hold those responsible for the death of Abdullah al-Hamid accountable. The world must not turn a blind eye to the systematic repression and gross human rights violations occurring in Saudi Arabia.

The Al-Hamid family’s sacrifices in the struggle for justice and democracy should not be forgotten. Their courage in the face of tyranny should serve as a rallying cry for all who believe in human rights and the rule of law. It is time for the world to stand with the Al-Hamid family and demand an end to the Saudi regime’s brutal repression. The fight for a democratic and just Saudi Arabia is far from over, and the international community must remain vigilant and unwavering in its support for those who continue to risk everything in the pursuit of freedom and justice.