In a recent revelation, Human Rights Watch has reported that while Saudi authorities have freed dozens of long-imprisoned individuals for peacefully expressing their rights, many more continue to face unjust imprisonment. Between December 2024 and February 2025, at least 44 prisoners, including notable activists like Mohammed al-Qahtani and Salma al-Shehab, were released. However, ongoing repression of freedoms in Saudi Arabia persists, as many remain unjustly detained.
Joey Shea from Human Rights Watch remarked, “The release of dozens of prisoners is a positive development, but the Saudi government should free everyone else who has been arbitrarily detained.” Despite the uplifting gesture of release, many freed prisoners remain subjected to harsh restrictions, like travel bans and ankle monitors, indicating that the situation is far from resolved.
High-profile detainees such as Salman al-Odah, Waleed Abu al-Khair, and Abdulrahman al-Sadhan still languish in prison for exercising their fundamental rights. Al-Qahtani, co-founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, and al-Shehab, a PhD student, both sought freedom from unjust sentences that were based solely on their peaceful activities.
The recent releases, although welcomed, do not trigger a notable policy shift, as many individuals still face detention under dubious charges of terrorism for peaceful expression. High-profile cases include psychiatrist Sabri Shalabi, who is imprisoned on false charges, and fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi, who was arrested for social media posts advocating for women’s rights.
Even as Saudi authorities hint at amnesty for exiled dissidents, this does little to assuage concerns over the ongoing, systematic violations against human rights defenders within the kingdom. The lack of a formal penal code allows for arbitrary detentions, and overreaching laws further suppress free speech and assembly. Human Rights Watch underscores the dire need for genuine reform and the immediate release of those unjustly held for peacefully exercising their rights.
Human Rights Watch highlights the release of 44 prisoners in Saudi Arabia, including activists like Mohammed al-Qahtani and Salma al-Shehab. Despite this, many continue to be unjustly detained under vague laws, facing ongoing suppression of their rights. The call for genuine reform and the release of all prisoners protecting their rights remains urgent.
The situation in Saudi Arabia remains a troubling landscape where the recent release of some prisoners does not equate to a comprehensive freedom for all. The oppressive environment continues for many dissidents who are unjustly imprisoned, and substantial reforms in the criminal justice system are urgently needed. Human Rights Watch calls for international scrutiny and accountability to ensure that all individuals are granted their inherent rights without fear of persecution.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
