Dec 28, 2022

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Saudi Arabia

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following report:

Saudi Arabia Country Update – This report assesses religious freedom conditions in Saudi Arabia in 2022. The ongoing power shifts from the Saudi religious establishment to the ruling family has created some opportunities for reforms to guardianship laws, textbooks, and social policies impacting religious freedom. However, the trend of retrying prisoners and sentencing others to decades in prison for peaceful religious dissent is an alarming development that undermines the Saudi narrative of reform. This report discusses these sentences, provides information on conditions for religious minorities, and recommends U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia as it relates to promoting freedom of religion or belief.

In its 2022 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department redesignate Saudi Arabia as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its ongoing violations of religious freedom, and lift the national security waiver releasing the administration from taking otherwise
legislatively mandated action as a result of the designation.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]. 

Additional Name(s): Khalid bin Muhammad bin Hamad Al Rashed, خالد الراشد

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Ethnic Group: Arab

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Increased to 40 Years' Imprisonment (Originally Increased to 15 Years' Imprisonment, Increased by 8 Years, Increased by 17 Years)

Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Association Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Khaled Al-Rashed

Extra Bio Info:

Khaled Al-Rashed is imprisoned for his religious expression and association.

In the mid 2000s, authorities arrested Al-Rashed, a reformist cleric. According to Alkarama, Al-Rashed was arrested on March 19, 2006, for criticizing government policies and his membership in the so-called Movement of Reformers. According to Sanad and Prisoners of Conscience, Al-Rashed was arrested in 2005 over a sermon calling for protests against Danish cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad.

In 2007, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared Al-Rashed's detention arbitrary.

On an unspecified date, Al-Rashed was reportedly sentenced to five years in prison.

In 2009, Al-Rashed's sentence was reportedly increased to 15 years in prison.

In 2020, Al-Rashed reportedly completed his sentence; however, his release was delayed.

On November 26, 2021, Al-Rashed was reportedly transferred out of Ha’ir Prison to General Investigation, despite his deteriorating health.

In February 2022, it was reported that an appeals court had sentenced Al-Rashed to an additional eight years in prison, bringing his total sentence to 23 years in prison.

In November 2022, it was reported that an appeals court had again added an additional 17 years to Al-Rashed's sentence, bringing his total sentence to 40 years in prison.

Sources:

Additional Name(s): عبدالمجيد الأركاني

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Saudi Arabia

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Increased to 10 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Abdul Majeed Al-Arkani

Extra Bio Info:

Abdul Majeed Al-Arkani is imprisoned for his religious expression and activity.

In 2020, authorities arrested Al-Arkani, an imam, for communicating with prominent Turkish figure Yasin Aktay on the sidelines of a Muslim World League conference. Al-Arkani reportedly gave Aktay congratulatory messages for Eid after Aktay complimented Al-Arkani's recitation of the Qur'an at the conference. Al-Arkani was reportedly severely beaten during interrogations.  He was also reportedly held in prolonged solitary confinement at Shaar Prison in Abha. 

On an unspecified date, the Specialized Criminal Court reportedly sentenced Al-Arkani to five years in prison.

On an unspecified date, Al-Arkani's sentence was reportedly reduced to two years and six months in prison.

In October 2022, it was reported that an appeals court had resentenced Al-Arkani to 10 years in prison, despite his sentence nearing completion. 

Sources:
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