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Riyadh: A group of citizens has urged the National Human Rights Association in Saudi Arabia to try to find a solution to the illegal arrest of Saudis, especially those who express their opinions in peaceful and civilised ways.
The group denounced the arrest of Professor Matrook Al Faleh, political science professor at King Saud University (KSU) which it described as an indication of a serious human rights violation.
His family was not informed about his arrest until late at night. Dr Al Faleh was not provided with an attorney during questioning, even though Saudi law grants him that right.
Dr Al Faleh's wife, Jameela Al Aqla, said that her husband has been in prison for more than 80 days; however, he is still in solitary confinement in Al Haeer Jail. He is prohibited from receiving books, newspapers, and watching television.
According to Saudi law, after two months of arrest, a detainee should be able to mix with other prisoners in one hall and should have access to books, newspapers and TV.
The group which consists of 29 members made its call on a written plea presented to the president of the National Human Rights Commission Turki Al Sudairi.
Regret
We regret to know that a group of intellectuals and academics from Jeddah have been detained without charge for more than a year and a half.
They have been subjected to many human rights violations since their arrest, they said in the plea.
We value your efforts towards supporting human rights issues in our country, and so we ask you to keep an eye on those institutes which violate the rules and goals of the National Human Rights Association.
We request that you carry out your role and duties with which you have been assigned so as to ensure the well-being of the detainees, Dr Al Faleh and the Jeddah prisoners, and that their treatment is in accordance with the law.
The group called on the president of the human rights to follow up the cases of all detainees.
We also request for their cases to be followed carefully and seriously in order to release them immediately.
The detainees are entitled to a fair trial which Saudi law grants them. Saudi Arabia has signed international human rights resolutions which grants every citizen the right to free expression.
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