Saudi Arabia
RAPID ACTION NETWORK
22 August 2005
Saudi Arabia: Three Saudi reformists released.
The Writers in Prison Committee of English PEN welcomes the release of writer Ali Al-Domaini and academics Abdullah al-Hamed and Matrouq al-Faleh, who were pardoned by newly crowned King Abdullah on 8 August 2005.
Background:
Writer Ali Al-Domaini and academics Abdullah al-Hamed and Matrouq al-Faleh were among a dozen leading Saudi reformist intellectuals to be arrested in March 2004 for criticising the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and for planning to set up their own human rights organisation. Most were later released after renouncing their political activism, but al-Domaini, al-Hamed and al-Faleh were charged and convicted of "stirring up sedition and disobeying the ruler" and sentenced to nine, seven and six years in prison respectively on 15 May 2005. These sentences were upheld on appeal on 23 July 2005. Following the death of King Fahd on 1 August 2005, they were pardoned by the newly crowned King Abdullah on 8 August 2005.
Ali al-Domaini is a well-known writer, and his publications include three collections of poetry and one novel in Arabic. Abdullah al-Hamed is a leading Islamic scholar and writer who was previously detained in 1993 and held incommunicado for over a year for being a founding member of the 'Lujnat al-Difa' 'an al-Hugug al-Shar'iyya (Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights). Dr. Matrouq al-Faleh is a former political science teacher at King Saud University, Riyadh. He was reportedly banned from teaching in January 2003 because of an article he published in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al-Qudis which reportedly discussed the September 11th attacks and their impact on Saudi Arabia.
The following letter of thanks was sent to PEN members by writer Ali Al-Domaini after his release:
Dear friends,
With your strong support, We were not left alone.
With your continuous efforts to encourage the government to release us from prison, we greatly felt proud of your deep concern and courage.
With such acts , the lovers of freedom and democracy all over the world, will write a new chapter in the history of human being consolidation to enhance peaceful movement toward a new era of democracy and human rights.
On behalf of my self and my family and friends, we express our deep appreciation of the excellent work you had conducted, and we wish you all achieving your shining goals.
Please send appeals:
- welcoming the release of writer Ali al-Domaini and academics Abdullah al-Hamed and Matrouq al-Faleh;
- urging that they and all other writers in Saudi Arabia will be able to peacefully express their views without fear of imprisonment or persecution.
Appeals to:
His Royal Highness King 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul 'Aziz Al-Saud
Royal Court
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
Please remember also to send a copy of your appeal to:
rapidactionnetwork@englishpen.org or fax us on 020 7837 7838