In a chilling and alarming development, Saudi Arabia has once again demonstrated its ruthless commitment to suppressing freedom of expression, this time with a death sentence handed down to a retired Saudi teacher, Muhammad al-Ghamdi. The charges? Solely his online presence on Twitter and YouTube. This egregious violation of human rights serves as a grim reminder of the lengths to which the Saudi government is willing to go in its relentless campaign to stifle dissent and muzzle its critics.
Muhammad al-Ghamdi’s case is a shocking example of the dire state of freedom of expression in the kingdom. Convicted by the Specialized Criminal Court, Saudi Arabia’s notorious counterterrorism tribunal, al-Ghamdi faced a litany of charges that included describing the King or Crown Prince in a way that undermines religion or justice, supporting a terrorist ideology, communicating with a terrorist entity, and publishing false news with the intention of executing a terrorist crime. These charges are not only vague but are also deeply concerning, as they infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The Saudi authorities’ relentless pursuit of individuals for expressing their views online underscores the broader deterioration of human rights in the kingdom. Over the past year, the country has seen a wave of convictions and harsh sentences imposed on social media users who dared to criticize the government. Salma al Shehab, a Saudi doctoral student, had her prison sentence increased from 6 to 34 years solely based on her activity on social media. Nourah bin Saeed al-Qahtani received a staggering 45-year prison sentence for “using the internet to tear the [country’s] social fabric.” Such sentences are disproportionate, inhumane, and reveal a chilling disregard for the principles of free speech and open discourse.
The grim backdrop to al-Ghamdi’s case is Saudi Arabia’s broader record on human rights, which has been marred by grave abuses. The mass execution of 81 men in March 2022, despite promises to reduce the use of the death penalty, stands as a stark testament to the Saudi leadership’s failure to uphold international human rights standards. Furthermore, the targeting of family members of government critics and dissidents living abroad is a deeply troubling trend. This tactic, used to coerce individuals to return to the country, highlights the Saudi government’s ruthless and indiscriminate approach to stifling dissent.
It is crucial to recognize that these violations of human rights are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of repression in Saudi Arabia. The government’s actions send a clear message: freedom of expression, a fundamental human right enshrined in international law, will not be tolerated within the kingdom’s borders.
As an organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights, the Washington Center for Human Rights condemns Saudi Arabia’s continued assault on freedom of expression. We echo the call made by Human Rights Watch for al-Ghamdi’s verdict to be quashed and for the Saudi government to cease its campaign against peaceful dissent.
Moreover, we urge the international community to take a stand against these egregious violations. Saudi Arabia’s human rights record cannot be ignored or brushed aside for economic or political expediency. It is imperative that governments, international organizations, and civil society collectively pressure Saudi Arabia to respect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
In conclusion, the case of Muhammad al-Ghamdi serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and justice in Saudi Arabia. The international community must stand together to condemn these violations, demand the release of those unjustly detained, and work tirelessly to ensure that the fundamental principles of human rights are upheld, not just in Saudi Arabia but around the world.