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 Two women human rights defenders conditionally released, while others still face trial
On 10 February 2021, woman human rights defender (WHRD) Loujain al-Hathloul was conditionally released by the Saudi authorities after spending over 1,000 days in prison.
2021-02-15
Monitoring & Documentation Saudi rulers failed in 2020 to persuade the world that their reforms address deep human rights concerns
Saudi Arabia’s rulers failed to persuade the world in 2020 that their reform programme was tackling human rights concerns, as violations and repression went on unabated, ALQST’s latest report concludes.
2021-01-28
Monitoring & Documentation Mohammed al-Qahtani ends his 10-day prison hunger strike as the authorities say they will meet demands
Prominent human rights defender Mohammed al-Qahtani has ended his hunger strike in prison, which he started on 19 December 2020.
2020-12-30
Monitoring & Documentation Court documents highlight gross judicial flaws in Loujain al-Hathloul’s trial
As human rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul’s grossly unfair trial continues, ALQST has reviewed court documents which once again highlight the spurious nature of the charges she is facing.
2020-12-27
Monitoring & Documentation Amendments to the indictment in Loujain al-Hathloul’s trial reveal the Saudi authorities’ fabrications and the politicisation of the judiciary
The family of human rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul have published the amended indictment  against her by the Public Prosecution at the first session of her trial in the Specialised Criminal Court (SCC).
2020-12-12
Monitoring & Documentation Flawed trials of jailed activists as Saudi authorities’ crackdown intensifies
New trial proceedings have commenced before the Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh for several activists, including Khaled al-Omair, Mohamed al-Oteibi and those arrested in April 2019.
2020-12-01
Monitoring & Documentation Women’s rights activists appear in court as authorities escalate repression
On 25 November 2020, women’s rights activists Loujain al-Hathloul, Nassima al-Sadah, Samar Badawi and Nouf Abdulaziz were brought before the Criminal Court in Riyadh.
2020-11-26
Monitoring & Documentation ALQST calls for justice as Jamal Khashoggi trial in Istanbul resumes
On 24 November 2020, a Turkish court resumed the trial in absentia of 26 Saudi officials for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. ALQST was in court to monitor the trial proceedings.
2020-11-24
Monitoring & Documentation ALQST commemorates International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
On this day dedicated to the end of impunity for crimes against journalists, ALQST pays tribute to all those who lost their lives and suffered attacks in the exercise of their freedom of expression.
2020-11-02
Monitoring & Documentation Call to release detained members of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) on the 11th anniversary of its establishment
12 October 2020 marks the 11th anniversary of the establishment of the Saudi Association for Civil and Political Rights (ACPRA), whose members are pioneers and champions of the Saudi human rights movement.
2020-10-12
Monitoring & Documentation Saudi court slashes sentences for Khashoggi defendants in final act of sham trial
On Monday, 7 September 2020, the Criminal Court in Riyadh commuted five death sentences to long prison terms in the trial for journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.
2020-09-09
Monitoring & Documentation Systematic practise of enforced disappearance in Saudi Arabia
The practice of enforced disappearance is systematic and widespread in Saudi Arabia. It is used by the authorities to silence activists, journalists or anyone critical of the authorities.
2020-08-28
Monitoring & Documentation In Saudi Arabia anyone can be arbitrarily arrested- even members of the ruling family
Among those caught up in the crackdown have been Basma bint Saud Al Saud, Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Saud, and Salman’s father Abdulaziz Al Saud.
2020-08-20
Monitoring & Documentation Port worker Hezam al-Ahmari arrested and facing charges for filming video
ALQST has news that Hezam al-Ahmari, 36, an employee at Jeddah seaport, was arrested on 10 February 2020.
2020-08-19
Monitoring & Documentation Journalist Saleh al-Shehi dies in mysterious circumstances following release from prison
The unexplained death on 19 July of Saudi journalist Saleh al-Shehi, just two months after his unexpected release from prison, raises many questions.
2020-07-22
Monitoring & Documentation Journalists and intellectuals arrested for expressing condolences over the death of reformer Abdullah al-Hamid
ALQST has learned that in late April the Saudi authorities carried out a spate of arrests of journalists and intellectuals for expressing sympathy over the death of Abdullah al-Hamid.
2020-07-21