Prisoners of Conscience

Monitoring & Documentation

Monitoring & Documentation Saudi crackdown on free speech turns farcical, with Salma al-Shehab resentenced yet again and other women jailed for up to 40 years
In a farcical turn of events in Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court (SCC), women’s rights activist Salma al-Shehab was resentenced on 25 January 2023 to 27 years in prison.
2023-03-09
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

Advocacy & Campaigns

Advocacy & Campaigns Controversy mounts over Saudi Arabia’s third F1 Grand Prix amid heightened repression
The Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix taking place in Saudi Arabia this weekend (17-19 March), amid intensified repression.
2023-03-18
Advocacy & Campaigns Saudi Arabia: End male guardianship and discrimination against women
Saudi authorities should take further steps to end discrimination against women and fully dismantle the male guardianship system, elements of which were formally codified into the Personal Status Law.
2023-03-09
Advocacy & Campaigns Rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities to end the persecution of Taoufik Bouachrine, and other critical journalists
The undersigned rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities to immediately end the persecution and detention of prominent independent newspaper editor Taoufik Bouachrine.
2023-02-24
Advocacy & Campaigns Hassan al-Rabea’s extradition constitutes a grave violation of Morocco’s international obligations
On February 6, 2023, al-Rabea was extradited from Morocco despite repeated civil society calls for his release and non-extradition to Saudi Arabia, where he faces credible risks of persecution.
2023-02-16

Reports

Reports The Dark Side of Neom: Expropriation, expulsion and prosecution of the region’s inhabitants
"The Dark Side of Neom" details the vicious campaign against members of the Huwaitat tribe who objected to their forcible eviction in 2020 for construction of a futuristic megacity, Neom. 
2023-02-16
Reports A New Low: Human Rights in Saudi Arabia in 2022
ALQST’s latest annual report documents the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia in 2022.
2023-02-13
Reports The Spotlight Fades, Repression Mounts Again: Human Rights in Saudi Arabia in 2021
ALQST’s latest annual report documents the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia in 2021.
2022-02-07
Reports Joint NGO submission on Saudi Arabia’s UPR mid-term reporting
An NGO report on Saudi Arabia’s progress mid-way through its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle.
2021-10-05

ALQST In The Media

Coda Story
Smart Cities
2022-03-29

Authoritarians love smart cities. Russia is no exception

“Every detail of the private life of the citizens is known to the government. Anyone who bothers the regime can get arrested. People themselves are go...
Middle East Eye
Basmah bint Saud
2022-01-08

Saudi princess freed after three years in jail: Report

"She was denied the medical care she needed for a potentially life threatening condition," Alqst said in Saturday's post. "At no point during her dete...
Business Insider
Sportswashing
2021-12-05

Don't let Saudi Arabia use a Formula 1 race to hide the abysmal way it treats its people

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, Saudi Arabia will host its first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix. Thousands of motorsport fans will gather to watch the action...
i24 News
Prisoners of conscience
2021-11-16

Saudi Arabia releases ex-death row inmate arrested as minor

"Abdullah al-Zaher was released yesterday following the expiry of his sentence," ALQST for Human Rights said on Twitter on Monday.
France 24
Prisoners of conscience
2021-10-27

Saudi releases Shiite ex-death row prisoner al-Nimr: rights group

"Ali al-Nimr, a young man detained since 2012 for participating in protests when he was a child, and who previously faced a death sentence, has been r...
Middle East Eye
Musa al-Qarni
2021-10-19

Saudi Arabia: Prominent cleric 'beaten and tortured to death while in detention'

According to ALQST, an independent NGO that promotes human rights in Saudi Arabia, Qarni was beaten around the head and face with sharp objects, which...
Middle East Eye
Musa al-Qarni
2021-10-12

Saudi Arabia: Prominent cleric dies in detention, say campaigners

Multiple human rights groups, including the Saudi rights group ALQST, reported that Musa al-Qarni, a former university professor, died after his healt...
Reuters
Sportswashing
2021-10-08

Human rights groups criticise Newcastle sale to Saudi-led consortium

Saudi Arabian human rights group ALQST accused the Premier League of being driven only by money and employing 'profoundly inadequate' criteria for ass...
BBC
Sportswashing
2021-10-08

Newcastle United takeover: LGBTQ+ fans hope Saudi deal 'a sign for change'

The organisation's acting director, Nabhan al-Hanashi, said: "For Saudi Arabia, the deal shows the success of their PR strategy to invest in sporting...
The Guardian
Sportswashing
2021-10-07

‘English football will sell itself to anyone’: human rights groups condemn Saudi-Newcastle deal

That message was reinforced by Nabhan al-Hanshi, acting director of ALQST, a Saudi human rights group based in the UK, who described the PIF and the S...
The Guardian
Surveillance
2021-09-24

New evidence suggests spyware used to surveil Emirati activist Alaa Al-Siddiq

But now, three months after her death, new evidence has emerged about an intense and pervasive campaign to surveil Al-Siddiq, who served as executive...
Middle East Eye
Arrests
2021-07-13

Saudi Arabia: Doctor 'forcibly disappeared' since arrest two months ago

“Alsharif’s apparent enforced disappearance is of grave concern, particularly given the Saudi authorities’ systematic and widespread use of the practi...
© 2023. All Copyrights Reserved For ALQST