The Enforced Disappearance of Abdullah Yahya Al-Ghazawi: Saudi Arabia’s Continued Suppression of Free Expression
Abdullah Yahya Al-Ghazawi, a young Saudi citizen, has endured over five years of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention simply for exercising his right to free expression. His “crime” was expressing his views on certain government policies and advocating for democratic reforms. Since May 2019, when he was detained following a raid on his family’s home in Qatif, Al-Ghazawi’s whereabouts and well-being have been shrouded in secrecy, with Saudi authorities refusing to provide any information on his case.
The circumstances of Al-Ghazawi’s arrest highlight serious violations of legal norms and human rights. Saudi authorities conducted the raid without a judicial warrant, a clear breach of Saudi and international law. Al-Ghazawi’s family has not been informed of his location, conditions, or reasons for detention, a tactic frequently employed in Saudi Arabia to silence those who voice dissent or question government policies. His disappearance reflects a disturbing pattern in Saudi Arabia, where detainees endure prolonged detention without access to family, legal representation, or even basic medical care.
Al-Ghazawi’s case underscores the perils faced by political detainees in Saudi Arabia’s detention facilities, notorious for their abusive treatment. This lack of transparency only deepens fears for his health and safety, especially given the documented mistreatment of prisoners of conscience by Saudi authorities. Rights organizations have raised alarms about Saudi Arabia’s use of enforced disappearances to eliminate dissent and punish individuals for merely expressing opinions.
Together for Justice strongly condemns the continued detention and enforced disappearance of Abdullah Yahya Al-Ghazawi. We stand by the right of Saudi citizens to express their views without fear of retaliation and urge the Saudi authorities to respect these fundamental freedoms. We call upon relevant UN bodies to urgently intervene, pressuring Saudi Arabia to reveal Al-Ghazawi’s status, ensure his safety, and grant him access to his basic rights.
Together for Justice also calls for an international commission to investigate enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention cases across Saudi Arabia. The international community must continue to demand accountability, transparency, and the immediate release of all political detainees, including Abdullah Yahya Al-Ghazawi, whose only “offense” was exercising his right to freedom of expression.
