The Washington Centre of Human Rights firmly condemns the persistent human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, where restrictions on freedoms and unjust treatment of citizens continue to harm and marginalize countless individuals. These actions are in violation of both Saudi Arabian national law and international human rights commitments.
According to the Saudi Basic Law of Governance, Article 26 mandates the state to protect human rights in alignment with Islamic law. Yet, recent reports reveal a troubling increase in arbitrary arrests, restrictions on free expression, and gender-based discrimination that infringe upon these principles. This includes the suppression of peaceful activists, targeting of dissenting voices, and restrictions on the freedoms of women and minorities.
Internationally, as a member of the United Nations and a signatory to the Arab Charter on Human Rights, Saudi Arabia is committed to upholding universal principles of human dignity, equality, and justice. The Arab Charter explicitly calls for the protection of individual rights and freedoms, and Saudi Arabia’s non-compliance represents a violation of these standards and a breach of its commitments to the global community.
We urge the Saudi government to honor its own laws and its international obligations by immediately halting human rights abuses and ensuring accountability for those responsible. The Washington Centre of Human Rights calls upon the international community to support efforts to protect human rights in Saudi Arabia, press for reforms, and advocate for the freedoms and dignities of all citizens. Justice and equality must be prioritized to foster a safer and fairer society for all.