Amnesty urges Saudi Arabia to release detainees ahead of UN Internet Forum
Amnesty International has called on Saudi Arabia to release individuals detained for exercising their right to free expression online as the country prepares to host the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) from December 15 to 19.
The forum, focusing on advancing human rights in the digital age, highlights a stark contrast with Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on dissent, Amnesty said.
The rights group stated that dozens of people, including activists and human rights defenders, are imprisoned for social media posts criticizing the government or advocating for reforms. Reports have also detailed cases of incommunicado detention, solitary confinement, and physical abuse of detainees.
Amnesty also warned that foreign visitors to Saudi Arabia, including IGF participants, could face risks for past online criticism of the government, calling on authorities to ensure that attendees can engage freely without harassment or reprisal.
The organization criticized Saudi Arabia for hosting the IGF while continuing to suppress online freedom of expression and urged the release of all detainees held for peaceful online activities, calling for an end to restrictions on civic space and the establishment of an environment that allows independent human rights organizations to operate freely.
Amnesty plans to send a delegation to the IGF and has requested meetings with Saudi officials to raise concerns about the country’s human rights situation. It emphasized that Saudi Arabia must align its rhetoric on reform with tangible actions, including releasing detainees and loosening restrictions on freedom of expression.
Activists say that in Saudi Arabia expressing one’s self online is extremely dangerous, confirming that numerous bloggers, dissidents, and women’s rights defenders have faced unjust prosecution, harsh prison sentences, and travel bans simply for expressing dissent and standing up for human rights.
Saudi authorities have recently proposed two laws that, if enacted, would further restrict free expression online, even potentially silencing people outside Saudi Arabia.
