Intl. Human Rights groups want access to Saudi activists’ courts

In a letter sent to the Saudi Justice Minister Mohammed al-Issa, the rights groups said that they wanted access to the trials of the four activists to learn how the Arab country handles such cases, Reuters reported on Monday.

The four activists, identified as lawyer Walid Abu al-Khair, writer Mikhlif al-Shammari, and professors and rights advocates Abdullah al-Hamid and Mohammad al-Qahtani, face different charges, including tarnishing the reputation of the state, cooperating with international rights organizations, and inciting anti-regime protests.

“These individuals have, over the past years, advocated greater respect for the human rights of people in Saudi Arabia ... They now find themselves facing criminal charges stemming from their human rights activities," said the letter.

Rights bodies have in the past criticized the monarchy for unfair detention and trial. The Saudi ministry has not responded to the request so far.

    Since February 2011, Saudi protesters have held numerous demonstrations in the Eastern Province, mainly in the Qatif region and the town of Awamiyah, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations turned into protests against the regime of the House of Saud, especially after November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the Eastern Province.

In June, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered the country’s security forces to go on a state of high alert due to what he called a “turbulent situation” in the region.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.”