Urgent Call for the Release of Academic Dr. Abdelrahman Alyoubi
The arbitrary detention of academic Dr. Abdelrahman Alyoubi, the former President of King Abdulaziz University, by Saudi security forces since July 2022, is a severe violation of human rights and an alarming display of repression. Dr. Alyoubi has been held without trial, in inhumane conditions, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Dr. Abdelrahman Alyoubi was arrested due to his opinions, a clear indicator of the Saudi authorities’ intolerance for free speech and dissent. Since his arrest, he has been denied basic human rights, including the right to access a lawyer and communicate with his family. The lack of transparency and information about his detention is deeply concerning and highlights the severe human rights abuses prevalent in Saudi Arabia.
The conditions of Dr. Alyoubi’s detention are inhumane and lack basic humanity. Reports suggest that detainees like him are subjected to harsh and degrading treatment, deprived of adequate medical care, and kept in solitary confinement. These conditions violate international laws and treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which guarantee the right to fair treatment and due process.
The arbitrary arrest and continued detention of Dr. Alyoubi, without trial or formal charges, underscore the broader issue of repression and lack of due process in Saudi Arabia. This case is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of systematic human rights violations targeting academics, activists, and anyone who dares to express dissenting opinions.
Human rights organizations, including Together for Justice Human Rights Group, strongly condemn the detention of Dr. Abdelrahman Alyoubi and call for his immediate release. We urge the international community to hold the Saudi government accountable for these gross human rights abuses and to demand transparency and justice for all prisoners of conscience.
The international community must not remain silent in the face of such blatant disregard for human rights. We call on global leaders, human rights organisations, and concerned citizens to join us in advocating for the release of Dr. Alyoubi and all others who are unjustly detained in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities must be pressured to adhere to international human rights standards and to respect the basic rights and freedoms of all individuals.
