Saudi Human Rights Activist Sentenced to 8 Years

Photo Credit: BBC News

A Saudi Arabian court has sentenced Abdul-Karim al-Khader, a founding member of one of Saudi Arabia’s leading human rights organizations, to eight years in jail on grounds of inciting sedition. Al-Khader is the co-founder of the Saudi Political Civil Rights Association (ACPRA), which was dissolved in March and their assets seized by a criminal court. The court convicted al-Khader for sedition and damage to the country’s reputation, citing that his organization campaigned for a constitutional monarchy as well as elections in the Gulf Arab kingdom.

According to BBC News, the organization was established in 2009 by a group of lawyers and academics in order to reform the country’s legal system. The group, however, has witnessed a harsh crackdown by authorities and leading members have been restricted by a state-imposed travel ban in effect for 10 years after their release from prison. The group has repeatedly spoken out against the government, accusing it of human rights abuses including torture, jailing political activists, and detaining people without due process or after the expiration of their sentences. ACPRA has also represented the families of detainees whom are considered Islamic militants by the government.

Waleed Abu al-Khair, a human rights lawyer and activist in Jeddah, stated that the government “is continuing its campaign against all human rights activists,” claiming, ”They are demanding that you sign a pledge to stop demanding reforms and those who refuse are taken to court and sent to jail.”

NPR reports that in Saudi Arabia, protests and political gatherings of any kind are prohibited. They added, however, that since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on a regular basis in Saudi Arabia, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.