On the fourth anniversary of the arrest of Dr. Saud Al-Fanisan, former Dean of the Faculty of Sharia at Al-Imam University in Saudi Arabia, the Washington Center for Human Rights reiterates its call for his immediate release. Dr. Al-Fanisan has been unfairly sentenced to seven years in prison on charges related to his peaceful expression of his opinions.
Background
Dr. Saud Al-Fanisan was arrested on March 8, 2017, following a series of tweets in which he expressed his views on the current political situation in the country. He was charged with a number of offenses, including “inciting public opinion against the state,” “communicating with foreign entities to harm the reputation of the kingdom,” and “supporting protests and demonstrations.”
Dr. Al-Fanisan was held in pre-trial detention for several months before being sentenced to seven years in prison by the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh in January 2018. The trial was marked by serious violations of due process, including the denial of access to legal representation and the use of confessions obtained under duress as evidence.
Despite repeated calls for his release from human rights organizations and the international community, Dr. Al-Fanisan remains in prison, where he has reportedly been subjected to ill-treatment and denied adequate medical care.
Human Rights Violations
The case of Dr. Saud Al-Fanisan is just one example of the ongoing human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The country’s justice system is rife with abuses, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and other forms of ill-treatment, and the denial of basic rights and freedoms.
Human rights defenders, journalists, and other activists are routinely targeted by the authorities for their peaceful expression of their opinions. They are subjected to harassment, intimidation, and arrest, and are often subjected to unfair trials and lengthy prison sentences.
The Saudi government has made some efforts to improve its human rights record in recent years, including the establishment of a human rights commission and the adoption of a new labor law. However, these measures have been largely cosmetic and have failed to address the root causes of human rights abuses in the country.
Call for Action
The Washington Center for Human Rights calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately release Dr. Saud Al-Fanisan and all other individuals who have been arbitrarily detained or unfairly sentenced for peacefully expressing their opinions. The authorities must also take concrete steps to ensure that the country’s justice system is fair and transparent, and that basic human rights and freedoms are respected and protected.
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 Dr. Al-Fanisan 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.
Conclusion
The case of Dr. Saud Al-Fanisan is a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The Washington Center for Human Rights calls on the Saudi authorities to immediately release him and all other individuals who have been unfairly detained or sentenced for peacefully expressing their opinions.
The international community must continue to hold the Saudi government accountable for its actions and 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.