Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish, a prominent member of the Otaiba tribe in Saudi Arabia, has been under arbitrary arrest since 14 May 2019. The arrest came shortly after he posted a tweet on his official Twitter account in which he expressed his protest against the detention of Sheikh Issa bin Salman Al-Ajmi, another member of the Otaiba tribe who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a land dispute. Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish has been held incommunicado since his arrest, with no access to legal representation or visitation rights. The Washington Center for Human Rights (WCHR) has called for his immediate release and has expressed concern about his well-being in detention. This statement aims to provide an overview of the case of Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Background
Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish is a well-known and respected member of the Otaiba tribe, one of the largest and most influential tribes in Saudi Arabia. He is a businessman and philanthropist who has been actively involved in charitable work and community development projects. He is also known for his outspokenness on social and political issues, particularly those related to the rights of tribal communities.
On 14 May 2019, Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish posted a tweet on his official Twitter account in which he expressed his protest against the detention of Sheikh Issa bin Salman Al-Ajmi, another member of the Otaiba tribe who had been arrested for his alleged involvement in a land dispute. In his tweet, Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish called for Sheikh Issa’s immediate release and criticized the authorities for their handling of the case.
Shortly after he posted the tweet, Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish was arrested by the Saudi authorities. He has been held incommunicado ever since, with no access to legal representation or visitation rights. The Saudi authorities have not provided any official explanation for his arrest or the charges against him.
International Reaction
The arrest of Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish has been widely condemned by human rights organizations and activists. The Washington Center for Human Rights (WCHR) has called for his immediate release and has expressed concern about his well-being in detention. The WCHR has also highlighted the broader issue of arbitrary arrests and detentions in Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting individuals who express dissent or criticism of the government.
Other organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have also expressed concern about the case of Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish and have called for his release. The Saudi authorities have not responded to these calls and have continued to hold Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish in detention.
Arbitrary Arrest and Detention in Saudi Arabia
The case of Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish is not an isolated incident in Saudi Arabia. The country has a long history of arbitrary arrests and detentions, particularly of individuals who express dissent or criticism of the government. The Saudi authorities have been known to use vague and broadly worded laws, such as those related to national security or terrorism, to justify the detention of individuals who are seen as a threat to the government’s authority.
The lack of due process in the Saudi justice system has also been a cause for concern. Detainees are often held incommunicado for extended periods, without access to legal representation or visitation rights. They are often subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment during their detention, and forced to sign confessions under duress.
The Saudi government has made some efforts to improve the country’s human rights record in recent years. In 2018, for example, a royal decree was issued to abolish the anti-terrorism court and transfer all cases to the regular courts. This move was seen as a positive step towards ensuring that detainees are afforded basic rights and protections under the law.
However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the Saudi justice system is fair and transparent. The Saudi authorities need to take concrete steps to address the issue of arbitrary arrests and detentions, and to ensure that detainees are afforded due process and access to legal representation.
Conclusion
The case of Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish is just one example of the ongoing human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities need to recognize the importance of respecting basic human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and due process.
The international community also has a role to play in holding the Saudi government accountable for its actions. Governments and organizations should continue to pressure the Saudi authorities to release Sheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish and other arbitrarily detained individuals, and to work towards improving the country’s human rights record.
It is only through sustained and concerted efforts that meaningful change can be achieved in Saudi Arabia, and that the basic rights and freedoms of all individuals are respected and protected.