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Date, Country, Type and ref. no. of communication |
Mandates | Summary | Replies received |
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Alleged arrest and incommunicado detention. According to the information received, Mr. Fadhel Al Manasif had observed and documented arrests carried out by security forces in the context of peaceful protests. Reportedly, on 1 May 2011, Mr. Al Manasif was arrested and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department at Al Kutaief police station. He was allegedly accused of inviting international media to demonstrations, as well as participating in, and gathering information about demonstrations. On 2 May, Mr. Al Manasif was allegedly transferred to Al Thakbah police station, where he had been held in incommunicado detention. Two days before Mr. Al Manasif was arrested, he was reportedly actively involved in the dissemination of information to international organizations regarding amendments made to the Press and Publications Law. On 29 April 2011, King Abdullah bin Abd al-=Aziz issued a decree amending the 2000 Press and Publications Law, placing further restrictions on the right to freedom of speech in Saudi Arabia. The amendments made to the aforementioned law, allegedly prohibit publishing anything that ?contradicts rulings of the Islamic Shari‘a Law or regulations in force?. It is also prohibited to publish anything that ?calls for disturbing the country‘s security, or its public order, or services foreign interests that contradict national interests, […] causes sectarianism or that spreads divisions between citizens, […] and damages public affairs in the country?. It is further alleged that the amendments made to the aforementioned law prohibit violating the ?reputation, dignity, or the slander or libel? of the chief mufti, members of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars, or any other government official or government instruction.Alleged victims: 1 More details... |
