Saudi Arabia: The Urgent Need to Overturn the Unjust Conviction and Harsh Sentencing of Social Media Activist

Saudi Activist Sentenced to Death for Online Activity

Background Information

Over the past two years, Saudi Arabia has seen an escalation in its crackdown against individuals using social media and the internet to voice their opinions. Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of individuals being sentenced to imprisonment for peaceful online activities. The Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) has used vague provisions under the anti-cybercrime and counterterrorism laws to equate peaceful expression and online activity with “terrorism.”

The Case of Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi

Saudi officials must urgently address the case of Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, a 54-year-old retired teacher who has been handed a conviction and death sentence solely for his peaceful online activity on Twitter and YouTube. According to Amnesty International, al-Ghamdi was arrested by State Security forces on June 11, 2022, and held in solitary confinement for four months without access to his family or a lawyer.

The death sentence against al-Ghamdi is nothing short of ludicrous. He had only 10 followers on his anonymous Twitter accounts and is accused of nothing other than expressing his opinions on social media. This harsh punishment marks a significant escalation in Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on dissent and raises serious concerns about the country’s commitment to reform.

Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, aptly pointed out that the Saudi authorities cannot claim genuine interest in reform while continuing to put people to death in violation of international law. The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and is considered a cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment. Saudi Arabia must eliminate the death penalty in all cases without exception.

Reprisal for Activism

Al-Ghamdi’s brother, Dr. Saeed bin Nasser al-Ghamdi, an Islamic scholar and government critic living in self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom, believes that his brother’s death sentence is a reprisal for his own activism. Dr. Saeed al-Ghamdi has faced pressure from Saudi authorities to return to Saudi Arabia, but he has refused to do so. He argues that the severity of his brother’s charges and the penalty imposed can only be explained as retaliation for his own political activity.

During questioning, interrogators reportedly asked Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi about his political opinions and his views on other detained Saudi nationals, including religious clerics Salman al-Awda and Awad al-Qarni, both of whom face the death penalty for their political views. This further supports the suspicion that the charges against al-Ghamdi are politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.

Saudi Arabia’s Violation of Human Rights

Saudi Arabia’s treatment of individuals exercising their freedom of expression raises serious human rights concerns. The country’s track record as one of the world’s top executioners is deeply troubling. In 2022 alone, Saudi Arabia executed 196 people, the highest annual number in the past thirty years. This number is three times higher than the previous year and at least seven times higher than 2020.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception. The organization emphasizes that the death penalty is a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment. Saudi Arabia must address these concerns and eliminate the death penalty in all cases, regardless of the nature of the crime or the circumstances of the offender.

Editorial: A Desperate Crackdown on Dissent

A Regime Afraid of the Power of Free Speech

Saudi Arabia’s sentencing of Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi to death for his peaceful online activity reflects a regime desperate to suppress any form of dissent. The government’s crackdown on individuals expressing their opinions on social media demonstrates a fear of the power of free speech and a determination to maintain control by any means necessary.

It is deeply concerning that Saudi officials are willing to violate international law and disregard human rights in their quest to silence critics. The death penalty should never be used as a tool to punish individuals for expressing their opinions, especially when those opinions do not advocate violence or any form of harm.

Reform or Image-Building?

Saudi Arabia has invested significant resources in an attempt to rehabilitate its image and present itself as a progressive nation. However, the recent wave of harsh sentences against peaceful activists demonstrates that these reforms are superficial and lack substance. The country cannot claim genuine interest in reform while engaging in repressive acts such as executing peaceful dissenters.

It is crucial for the international community to scrutinize Saudi Arabia’s actions and hold it accountable for its human rights violations. Governments and organizations around the world must condemn the death sentence handed down to Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi and demand his immediate release.

Advice and Conclusion

International Pressure for Change

The international community has an essential role to play in pressuring Saudi Arabia to change its course and respect human rights. Governments, organizations, and individuals must voice their concerns and demand the release of Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi and all other peaceful activists held in detention.

Elevating Human Rights in Bilateral Relations

Countries with close relationships with Saudi Arabia, including economic ties and military cooperation, must prioritize human rights in their bilateral relations. Economic interests and political considerations should not outweigh the importance of advocating for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Support for Human Rights Organizations

Organizations like Amnesty International play a critical role in documenting human rights abuses and advocating for change. It is crucial for individuals around the world to support these organizations financially, spread awareness of their work, and pressure governments to respond to their findings.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s sentencing of Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi to death for his peaceful online activity is a grave violation of human rights. It reflects a desperate crackdown on dissent and highlights the government’s fear of free speech. The international community must take a stand against these violations and demand change. It is the collective responsibility of governments, organizations, and individuals to ensure that human rights are respected and protected in Saudi Arabia and around the world.

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