On 21 December 2015 human rights defender and journalist Zuhair Al-Kutbi was given a heavy sentence after he called for reforms on a television talk show. He is a prominent Saudi Arabian writer, commentator and on-line contributor.

Zuhair Al-Kutbi was tried before the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh and sentenced to four years in prison, a fine of 100.000 Saudi Riyals ($26.600), a 5-year travel ban, and a 15-year writing ban. He is charged with insulting and criticizing the Saudi state and inciting chaos. Human rights defenders continue to appear before the Specialized Criminal Court despite the fact that its jurisdiction is to deal with terrorism-related matters.

On 15 July 2015, Zuhair Al-Kutbi was violently arrested at his home by security forces, some in plain clothes and others masked but in uniform. His arrest came following his appearance on a television talk show “Fi al- Samim” (To the Point), aired on 25 June, in which he called for religious and political reforms in Saudi Arabia including for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and combating religious and political repression.

Since the 1990s he has endured intimidation and harassment as a result of his peaceful activism. He has been subjected to detention and sentenced to prison and fines for calling for reforms and criticizing prison conditions in Saudi Arabia.

His arrest and sentencing come within a context of the on going targeting of those who exercise their right of freedom of opinion and expression in Saudi Arabia.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) expresses serious concern at the arrest and sentencing of Zuhair Al-Kutbi, which it believes are solely related to the exercise of his right to freedom of expression and opinion.

The GHCR calls on the authorities in Saudi Arabia to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Zuhair Al-Kutbi and drop al charges against him;
2. Ensure that all measures are taken to guarantee his physical and psychological integrity and security;
3. Immediately release all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia whose detention relate only to the peaceful and legitimate work in the promotion and protection of human rights.

The GCHR respectfully reminds you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw your attention to Article 6 (b and c): “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (b) As provided for in human rights and other applicable international instruments, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms; (c) To study, discuss, form and hold opinions on the observance, both in law and in practice, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and, through these and other appropriate means, to draw public attention to those matters”  and to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”