On 07 July 2014, at 9pm, police in Kuwait arbitrary arrested and detained human rights defender Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli. Reports confirmed that he was verbally abused prior to his arrest. No charges have been brought against the human rights defender, but it is believed that the arrest is related to his participation as a human rights observer in a peaceful gathering in front of the central prison in Kuwait. The gathering called for the release of the detained protesters. According to reliable information, he is detained in the office of the Criminal Investigation Department in Salmiyah.

Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli is a Bedoon human rights activist and he is also involved as an observer in monitoring human rights violations in Kuwait.  

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) expresses its concern at the repeated targeting, arrest and detention of Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli, as they are solely related to the human rights defender’s peaceful and legitimate human rights work. The GCHR is particularly concerned regarding Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli’s physical and psychological integrity while in detention.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights urges authorities in Kuwait to:

1. Release Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli immediately without any condition as he is solely targeted due to his work in the field of human rights;

2. Ensure the physical and psychological integrity and security of Abdulhakim Al-Fadhli while he remains in detention;

3. Immediately stop targeting human rights violations monitors while performing their peaceful and legitimates important work.

4. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Kuwait are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment. 

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 Article 6 (c): “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others: (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.”