Monitoring & Documentation

While civil society in Saudi Arabia has largely been silenced, and individuals communicating with the outside world are at high risk of reprisals, we maintain an extensive network of sources that enables us to closely monitor human rights violations on the ground and bring them to the attention of the international community.

Monitoring & Documentation Saudi Crown Prince takes clampdown on dissent to a new level after making his comeback on the world stage – ALQST’s 2022 Annual Report
The rehabilitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman was swiftly followed by a string of staggeringly harsh jail sentences for peaceful social media activism.
2023-02-13
Monitoring & Documentation Death sentences upheld for three men who resisted Neom project
On 23 January, Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court of Appeal upheld death sentences against three members of the Huwaitat tribe, Shadli, Ibrahim and Ataullah al-Huwaiti.
2023-01-24
Monitoring & Documentation Drugs-related executions make sudden comeback in Saudi Arabia despite claims of a moratorium
Executions for drugs-related offences have made a dramatic comeback in Saudi Arabia this month, despite the announcement in January 2021 of a moratorium on use of the death penalty for such non-violent crimes.
2022-11-24
Monitoring & Documentation Concern for fate of human rights defender Mohammed al-Qahtani, forcibly disappeared
Concern is growing for the fate and wellbeing of detained human rights defender Mohammed al-Qahtani, who has been denied any family contact since 24 October.
2022-11-10
Monitoring & Documentation ALQST calls for an end to attacks on journalists, and accountability for those responsible
On 2 November, which marks International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, ALQST calls for an end to the ongoing persecution, imprisonment and silencing of journalists in Saudi Arabia.
2022-11-02
Monitoring & Documentation Fears grow for Saudi detainees awaiting trial or sentencing, following wave of 30-year-plus prison terms
In light of the unprecedented jail sentences issued against peaceful activists in Saudi Arabia, concerns are growing for those who remain in detention without charge or are facing prolonged trials or retrial.
2022-10-28
Monitoring & Documentation Rights activist Mohammed al-Rabiah faces retrial despite completing prison term
ALQST calls on the Saudi Arabian authorities to release human rights activist Mohammed al-Rabiah, who is being retried in the SCC despite recently completing his prison term.
2022-10-17
Monitoring & Documentation Death sentences for men who refused to make way for Neom
Saudi Arabia’s SCC has sentenced to death three members of the Huwaitat tribe whose family have been forcibly evicted and displaced to make way for the Neom megaproject being pursued by the Saudi authorities.
2022-10-10
Monitoring & Documentation Prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia held beyond sentences’ expiry
Prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia are continuing to be arbitrarily detained even after their prison sentences expire, signalling another worrying trend.
2022-10-05
Monitoring & Documentation Nourah al-Qahtani: Yet another lengthy jail sentence, for tweeting
Among the unprecedented slew of lengthy sentences recently handed down in the Saudi courts, on 9 August 2022 the Specialised Criminal Court of Appeal sentenced Nourah Saeed al-Qahtani to 45 years in jail.
2022-09-16
Monitoring & Documentation Extreme jail terms in Saudi Arabia signal new phase of repression and new low for human rights
ALQST has been gravely concerned to see several lengthy prison sentences – of between 32 and 50 years – handed down recently to activists.
2022-09-09
Monitoring & Documentation Video of security officers attacking women in Saudi orphanage highlights state misogyny
ALQST has been deeply concerned to see the video footage circulating showing Saudi security and police officers assaulting young women in the Social Education Home (orphanage) in Khamis Mushait.
2022-09-01
Monitoring & Documentation 34 years jail for women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab, who used Twitter to call for reforms
In the Saudi authorities’ longest prison sentence ever for a peaceful activist, the Specialised Criminal Court of Appeal on 9 August handed down terms totalling 34 years to rights campaigner Salma al-Shehab.
2022-08-15
Monitoring & Documentation Saudi authorities must reveal what has happened to Shaimaa al-Baqmi
Sources have told ALQST that Shaimaa al-Baqmi, a 24-year-old Saudi woman, has been missing since April as a result of her family filing a malicious complaint against her.
2022-07-05
Monitoring & Documentation Five years of ruthless repression under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
It is five years since Mohammed bin Salman became Crown Prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of his father King Salman, on 21 June 2017.
2022-06-21
Monitoring & Documentation Authorities have an absolute duty to keep prisoners of conscience safe
ALQST is extremely concerned by developments that threaten the safety and welfare of prisoners of conscience in Saudi prisons, following the recent assault on prominent rights activist Mohammed al-Qahtani.
2022-05-31