Name: Waleed Abu Al-Khair
Field of Activism: Lawyer and human rights activist, founder of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
Date of Arrest: April 15, 2014
Sentence: 15 years in prison followed by a 15-year travel ban, along with a fine of 200,000 Saudi riyals
Current Place of Detention: Dhahban Prison, Jeddah
Charges Against Him:
- Contempt of the judiciary and criticism of absolute monarchy
- Inciting public opinion and provoking unrest against the state
- Communicating and cooperating with international human rights organizations
- Establishing an unlicensed human rights organization
Trial and Sentencing Timeline:
- October 6, 2013: His trial before the Specialized Criminal Court began
- April 15, 2014: He was arrested during a court hearing after refusing to sign a pledge to halt his activism
- July 6, 2014: He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by a 15-year travel ban, and a financial fine
- January 12, 2015: The Court of Appeals upheld his sentence in full
Violations:
Arbitrary Arrest: Detained solely for his peaceful human rights activism
Torture and Ill-Treatment:
- Prolonged solitary confinement
- Sleep deprivation and mistreatment in prison
- Denial of urgent medical care
Denial of Fair Trial:
- Secret trial sessions without legal guarantees
- No proper defense rights were granted to him
Medical Neglect:
His health has deteriorated due to the denial of medical treatment
Who is Waleed Abu Al-Khair?
Waleed Abu Al-Khair is a prominent Saudi lawyer and human rights advocate. He founded the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia and defended numerous prisoners of conscience, including Raif Badawi. He was known for his bold stance in demanding constitutional monarchy and political reforms, which made him a direct target of government repression.
In 2014, he became the first Saudi human rights activist to be prosecuted under the anti-terrorism law, in what was widely seen as a politically motivated case. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison after an unfair trial, and despite global condemnation, he remains behind bars.
How can the world believe that Saudi Arabia is implementing real reforms when its prisons remain filled with intellectuals, activists, and human rights defenders? How is the world so easily deceived by international events, festivals, and global entertainment spectacles while voices demanding justice are silenced behind bars?
FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup, claiming the kingdom respects human rights—but where is the respect for human rights when Waleed Abu Al-Khair and countless others remain unjustly imprisoned? If this is what reform looks like, then where is freedom? Where is justice?