On 25 June 2014, the Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced human rights defender Fawzan Al-Harbi to seven years in prison, with six yeras suspended, and a travel ban of equal duration. Fawzan Al-Harbi is a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) and was convicted on baseless charges relating to his human rights activities. He has appealed the sentence.

The charges brought against him including participating in the establishment of an unlicensed organisation (ACPRA), “inciting disobedience to the ruler by calling for demonstrations”, and “accusing the judiciary of being incapable of delivering justice”. He was ordered also to sign a pledge that he would not contact certain people or publish anything on social media or websites until after the appeal. 

He has been arbitrarily detained since his arrest was ordered, without basis, on 26 December 2013. He was released on 24 June 2014 and is currently at liberty pending the outcome of his appeal, however is liable to be arbitrary arrested at any time. 

Fawzan Al-Harbi had been under investigation since 11 May 2013. His trial began on 4 December 2013 on nine charges including describing the Saudi Arabian state as a ‘police state’. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) issued a previous appeal following his arbitrary arrest on 26 December 2013 during the second hearing of his trial at the Criminal Court in Riyadh. (https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/569).

The GCHR expresses serious concern at the sentence handed down against Fawzan Al-Harbi and believes that the charges brought against him hold no true basis and are solely related to his human rights work and the exercise of his right to freedom of expression and opinion. The GCHR believes that this sentencing is another attempt by the authorities to curtail the work of human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia and to hinder their legitimate and peaceful activities. 

The GCHR urges the authorities in Saudi Arabia to: 

1. Immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Fawzan Al-Harbi;
2. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of Fawzan Al-Harbi;
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia 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 to Article 6 (c) which states that: “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, which provides that “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”.