UN Report Lists Saudi Arabia Among States Accused of Intimidating Rights Defenders

UN Report Lists Saudi Arabia Among States Accused of Intimidating Rights Defenders
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres has identified Saudi Arabia among 32 countries accused of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and groups cooperating, or seeking to cooperate, with UN human rights mechanisms. The findings were included in his 16th report to the Human Rights Council, which focuses on cases of harassment, threats, and retaliation.

The report noted that the scale of the problem is likely underreported due to fear of reprisals and self-censorship, and highlighted growing instances of transnational repression targeting activists and dissidents abroad.

The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights said the repeated appearance of Saudi activists in UN reports reflects a systematic pattern of reprisals. It added that while some detainees have been released, restrictive measures such as prolonged travel bans continue to silence them.