During this year, the Saudi authorities have begun to release some prominent figures after long periods of detention. It is now well known that within the country, repression of those who publicly speak out against the government and in favour of human rights is increasingly harsh. Despite this, it seems that the government decides to pardon certain individuals from time to time. While this development should be welcomed, it should not distract attention from the real conditions that activists and dissidents face on a daily basis in the country.
As is now common practice in Saudi Arabia, those who have recently been released were charged under the Counterterrorism Law and the Cybercrimes Law, which are used by the authorities to restrict the freedom of speech of those who oppose the government’s abuses. Among the various figures who have been released recently are many professors and clerics who, including through social media, had expressed critical views of the Saudi authorities and support for other imprisoned activists.
Among them, for example, is Dr. Khalid Al-Oudah, brother of Salman Al-Oudah. Khalid was arrested in 2017 and sentenced to five years in prison for his activism and for expressing support for his brother in prison. During his detention, Al-Oudah was placed in forced isolation and denied the medical care he requested. In addition to this, his sentence was extended to nine years and, to date, despite his release, it appears that a travel ban has been imposed on him.
Dr. Adel Bana’ma and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Harthy suffered the same fate. Both were arrested in 2017 because of their opposition to the state authorities. During their detention, they were denied legal representation, the opportunity to see their families, and the medical care they needed. Initially, both were supposed to serve five years in prison, but their sentences were extended to nine years.
Although these releases should be welcomed, it must always be remembered that the repression of activists continues unabated in the country. The Saudi authorities continue to commit serious crimes against those who clash with the government and show no sign of stopping. Among the most recent cases, it is important to remember that of Jalal Labbad, a young man sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was still a minor. This is a brutal crime that violates every international convention, demonstrating once again the harshness with which the Saudi authorities operate and the injustices that result from this.
Releasing prisoners from time to time is therefore a clear strategy employed by the Saudi government to divert attention away from this ongoing repression. Demonstrating that prisoners are actually being released also serves to deflect the criticism that is constantly levelled at it. However, this should not distract attention from what these prisoners have experienced during their detention and from the fact that many others continue to be persecuted.
For these reasons, it is essential to continue to bring to light the serious actions carried out by the Saudi government. In no way should its actions, however positive they may appear, distract us from the grave reality that many activists and dissidents face on a daily basis in the country. This is the only way to ensure that the country is held accountable for its actions and to hope that, sooner or later, there will be genuine respect for human rights within it.