Together for Justice Condemns UK’s Stance on Threats to Saudi Activists in Exile

Together for Justice strongly condemns the United Kingdom’s apparent indifference to the ongoing threats and harassment faced by Saudi activists living in exile. These activists, who have bravely spoken out against human rights abuses and the jailing of female activists in Saudi Arabia, continue to be targeted by Riyadh despite seeking refuge in a country that professes to uphold democratic values and human rights.
Saudi Arabia has been attempting to rebrand itself as a reformed state since the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by a Saudi hit squad at its consulate in Istanbul in 2018. However, the reality faced by Saudi dissidents in the UK tells a different story. These exiles have reported a barrage of threats and abuse for their activism, illustrating a clear pattern of transnational repression.
Yahya Assiri, a prominent Saudi human rights activist who has been running the organisation ALQST (which means “justice” in Arabic) since 2014, shared a harrowing account of the threats against him. A knife was left outside his London home, and his wife and son were separately approached and told that they could seek help from the Saudi embassy if they disagreed with his views. “As a father, it really left me worried,” said Assiri. “For the first time, the threat felt real. I took my kids away from my own country and brought them here to the UK because it says it upholds democratic values and human rights.”
At least half a dozen threats to life for Saudis living in exile in the UK and elsewhere in Europe have been reported by various human rights groups. This troubling trend underscores the urgent need for the UK government to take decisive action to protect these individuals and hold the Saudi regime accountable for its transgressions.
This is not an isolated incident. The murder of Jamal Khashoggi serves as a stark reminder that the Saudi regime will go to great lengths to silence its critics, even on foreign soil. The threats and harassment faced by Saudi activists in the UK demonstrate that what happened to Khashoggi could happen to anyone who dares to speak out against the regime. The UK must not turn a blind eye to these dangers.
Together for Justice calls on the UK government to:
Publicly condemn the threats and harassment faced by Saudi activists in the UK.
Provide increased protection for Saudi dissidents and their families living in exile.
Hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its actions, including imposing sanctions on those responsible for transnational repression.
Investigate and prosecute any individuals or entities involved in threatening or harming Saudi activists on UK soil.
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi should have served as a wake-up call for the international community about the lengths to which the Saudi regime will go to silence dissent. The continued targeting of Saudi activists in the UK highlights the persistent danger they face and the urgent need for a robust response from the British government.
Together for Justice stands in solidarity with all Saudi activists bravely speaking out against oppression, and we will continue to advocate for their safety and rights. The UK must live up to its commitment to democratic values and human rights by taking immediate and concrete steps to protect these vulnerable individuals.