Together for Justice Renews Call for Immediate Release of Saudi Cartoonist Mohammed al-Hazza
Together for Justice once again joins the growing international call for the immediate release of Saudi cartoonist Mohammed al-Hazza, who has been sentenced to an outrageous 23 years in prison solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. We stand in solidarity with al-Hazza and his family, who have endured untold suffering as a result of Saudi Arabia’s repression of dissent, and we call on the international community to condemn this grave injustice.
Mohammed al-Hazza, a 48-year-old father of five, was arrested in February 2018 in a violent raid on his home, where Saudi security forces ransacked his studio and detained him without consideration for his family’s well-being. Al-Hazza’s so-called “crime” was his satirical artwork, which included political cartoons published in the Qatari newspaper Lusail that were interpreted as supportive of Qatar during the 2017 blockade against the Gulf nation. This arrest, initiated without any credible legal justification, stripped al-Hazza of his freedom and tore him away from his family, who now struggle emotionally and financially in his absence.
In an especially cruel twist, al-Hazza was initially sentenced to six years and was close to release when, without explanation, Saudi authorities reopened the case, imposing a dramatically extended 23-year sentence. His sister, Asrar al-Hazza, shared the family’s heartbreak, stating, “He was almost there… almost free,” only for the sentence to be shockingly increased.
This severe punishment is emblematic of a broader Saudi crackdown on free expression. The government continues to use its judiciary as a tool to silence voices critical of the state, with harsh sentences imposed not only on activists and writers but even on artists who dare to express independent viewpoints. Individuals who merely share social media posts are at risk, facing possible detention and excessive prison terms. Al-Hazza’s treatment is one example among countless others in Saudi Arabia, where political prisoners are often subjected to inhumane detention conditions, including physical and psychological torture, forced confessions, and prolonged solitary confinement.
Mohammed al-Hazza’s health has significantly deteriorated since his imprisonment, with reports of prolonged solitary confinement and physical abuse taking a severe toll on his physical and mental well-being. His family, devastated by the harsh conditions he endures, has repeatedly pleaded for his immediate release and access to medical care. Al-Hazza’s sister, Asrar, shared the family’s deep anguish over his declining health, describing how the 48-year-old father of five has been deprived of basic human rights and subjected to treatment aimed at breaking his spirit. The family’s calls for justice and compassion resonate as a plea to the international community to stand with them in demanding his freedom before his health deteriorates further.
Under the rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Specialized Criminal Court has become a vehicle for repressing dissent. Al-Hazza, like many others, was denied adequate legal representation, forced into a politicized trial, and subjected to brutal conditions that violate his basic human rights. This ongoing misuse of the legal system highlights the lack of judicial independence and the judiciary’s direct subordination to the Crown Prince, with political prisoners bearing the heaviest consequences.
Together for Justice condemns these unlawful actions in the strongest terms and reiterates its urgent call to the international community to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its human rights abuses. The baseless extension of al-Hazza’s sentence to 23 years is a stark reminder of the extreme measures the Kingdom will take to stifle dissent and silence those who challenge the government’s narrative. We call on governments, international bodies, and civil society organizations worldwide to exert pressure on Saudi authorities to secure the release of Mohammed al-Hazza and other prisoners of conscience.
Saudi Arabia’s justification for imprisoning its citizens under the guise of combating “terrorism” is a transparent attempt to mask its repression. Together for Justice emphasizes that the real injustice lies in the state’s systematic denial of its citizens’ fundamental rights. We will continue to stand with Mohammed al-Hazza and demand his immediate and unconditional release, as well as an end to Saudi Arabia’s campaign against freedom of expression.
