📢 18 MEPs have sent a letter to the Bulgarian government expressing concern over the situation of Saudi activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi, now in his fifth year of administrative detention in Bulgaria and facing the threat of deportation to #SaudiArabia. alqst.org/en/post/meps...

Today Saudi authorities executed businessman Saud al-Faraj on vague "terrorism" charges, over his participation in protests in 2011. In 2024 the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an opinion finding his detention to be arbitrary and calling for his immediate release.

Many women sentenced to death are survivors of long-term sexual or domestic abuse, yet these histories are rarely introduced in court or treated as mitigating factors during sentencing. In Saudi Arabia, this pattern is particularly evident among migrant domestic workers.

Our latest report examines the Saudi authorities’ use of the death penalty through a gendered lens. It shows how women in Saudi Arabia—especially foreign women—face overlapping forms of discrimination, rights violations, and structural barriers at every stage of the process.

Our new report focuses on women executed or on death row in #SaudiArabia over recent years. It explores the multiple injustices – relating to gender, citizenship and economic status – that have resulted in their facing capital punishment Read it here: alqst.org/en/post/wome...

Executions have resumed in #SaudiArabia following a pause during Ramadan, with three foreign nationals executed yesterday alone. 42 individuals have now been executed in 2026, the majority for drug-related crimes. Saudi authorities must implement a moratorium on executions now.

Eid is a time for family and compassion. However, in Saudi Arabia, many families remain torn apart due to arbitrary detentions and travel bans. In light of Eid, Saudi authorities should release prisoners of conscience, and lift all travel bans.

During #HRC61, ALQST and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights delivered two joint oral statements highlighting urgent human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, including deeply regressive trends relating to the death penalty. Read the statements here: alqst.org/en/post/alqs...

Dear Followers, The ALQST team is monitoring the situation in the region, and as we watch the war and its distressing repercussions our wish is for everybody to be safe. (1/2)

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has published an Opinion condemning the executions of three Egyptian nationals for drug-related crimes in Saudi Arabia. It calls for compensation to be granted to their families. alqst.org/en/post/un-w...

Eid Mubarak✨ We extend our warmest greetings on the occasion of #EidAlFitr. During these blessed days, Eid is a time for family and togetherness. Yet in Saudi Arabia, many families remain separated due to arbitrary detention and travel bans.

Today marks 10 years since the arrest of Saudi writer and academic Mohammed al-Hudaif after posting a tweet questioning the legitimacy of UAE involvement in Saudi Arabia’s internal affairs. Although Saudi-UAE rivalry has since grown, he remains arbitrarily detained. ➡️ www.alqst.org/en/political...

Today at 7pm GMT, Newcastle United supporters' group @nosauditoon.bsky.social are hosting an online discussion on women's rights in Saudi Arabia. It features Saudi academic and ALQST board member Maryam Aldossari (@maryamaldossari.bsky.social). Meeting link: meet.google.com/xgg-zedj-pcq

Today, Newcastle United supporters' group @nosauditoon.bsky.social are hosting an online discussion on women's rights in Saudi Arabia. It features Saudi academic and ALQST board member @maryamaldossari.bsky.social. Meeting link: meet.google.com/xgg-zedj-pcq

#Bahrain: PEN International and partners urged the authorities to release Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace, imprisoned for 15 years for his pro-democracy activism. Read our joint appeal ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/bahrain...

Today, 17 March, marks 15 years since human rights activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested during pro-democracy protests in #Bahrain & sentenced to life in prison. @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social & 17 NGOs call on authorities to #FreeAlSingace englishpen.org/posts/campai...

French national Amr Abdelfattah remains in detention and facing trial in #SaudiArabia for visa irregularities and charges related to free speech. Saudi Arabia’s allies, particularly the French government, should send monitors to observe upcoming hearings. alqst.org/en/post/fren...

Since his last court appearance in October 2021, Abdulrahman al-Sadhan has again been forcibly disappeared by #SaudiArabia's authorities. Here is his sister Areej addressing his case in 2022. Years later, his family continues to be denied any contact whatsoever. #FreeSadhan

Despite being told that he'd soon be released, Abdulrahman al-Sadhan was brought to trial in March 2021, facing trumped-up charges for peaceful satire on X. Following a grossly unfair trial, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. #FreeSadhan www.alqst.org/en/post/appe...

On 12 March 2018, officials from #SaudiArabia’s secret police arrested Abdulrahman al-Sadhan from his work place at the HQ of the Saudi Arabian Red Crescent Society in Riyadh. For nearly two years his family had no information about him. #FreeSadhan alqst.org/en/political...

Today marks eight years since humanitarian worker Abdulrahman al-Sadhan was arrested and disappeared. Sentenced to 20 years in jail for peaceful X activity, he remains forcibly disappeared. Call on #SaudiArabia's authorities to #FreeSadhan now. www.globalcitizen.org/en/action/sa...

Saudi Arabia’s escalating use of the death penalty over the past decade has consistently disadvantaged women, finds new research by ESOHR and ALQST. Read our joint statement here, and see our reports for more. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 alqst.org/en/post/wome...

Dar al-Re‘aya, ‘care homes’ in Arabic, are detention facilities in #SaudiArabia that house young women and girls. Despite their name, these institutions deprive women of their liberty and punish them for ‘disobedience’. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 alqst.org/File/briefin...

While Saudi authorities uphold a progressive stance on the advancement of women’s rights in the country, the reality is very different. To learn more, read @maryamaldossari.bsky.social's article. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 alqst.org/en/post/saud...

On #InternationalWomensDay, we renew our call on #SaudiArabia's authorities to release all women’s rights activists, and lift travel bans imposed on them. We further urge the authorities to abolish the male guardianship system and end all discrimination against women. #IWD2026

The executions in 2025 of Jalal Labbad and Abdullah al-Derazi raise grave fears for other child defendants at imminent risk of execution. Sign the petition calling on #SaudiArabia's authorities to quash their death sentences. www.globalcitizen.org/en/action/sa...

While the Saudi Tourism Authority works to attract tourists to the country with its “#VisitSaudi” campaign, there are many Saudis under travel bans who are barred from leaving. Read about our campaign highlighting the human rights reality on the ground: www.alqst.org/en/post/alqs...

Opening TODAY: an exhibition by artist Paul Piercy at Newcastle City Library showcasing human rights defenders from across the world. Among those featured is one of Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated women's rights advocates, Loujain al-Hathloul. For more: northeastbylines.co.uk/culture/illu...

There's a huge disconnect between Saudi Arabia’s carefully curated international image and the harsh human rights reality on the ground. Our campaign urges those thinking of visiting the kingdom to be aware of this contradiction, and not to whitewash abuses. alqst.org/en/post/alqs...

UN experts including the UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social have sent a communication to the Saudi authorities expressing their utmost concern about the retrial and 25-year prison sentence imposed against HRD Mohammed al-Bejadi. #FreeAlBejadi srdefenders.org/saudi-arabia...

UN Committee on NGOs: Civil society organisations call for competitive elections. Over 70 CSOs have issued a call urging UN regional groups to field more candidates than available seats for the elections to the Economic and Social Council's Committee on NGOs in April. https://ow.ly/SrUH50YgVlT

Over 50k have now signed the petition calling for the release of Manahel al-Otaibi. #FreeManahel She's a fitness instructor sentenced by #Saudi authorities to five years in prison for her activism. ✒️ Add your name here: www.globalcitizen.org/en/action/re...

Eight years ago today, Saudi political cartoonist Mohammed al-Ghamdi (pen name: Al Hazzaa) was arrested in connection with his work. He was later sentenced to 23 years in prison. Saudi authorities must #FreeAlHazzaa now. ➡️ alqst.org/en/political...

Read Jennifer Holleis' latest piece in Deutsche Welle around Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 overhaul. Featuring comments from our Executive Director Julia Legner. www.dw.com/en/saudi-ara...

Today, #SaudiArabia's authorities announced the execution of two more Egyptian nationals- Osama Abdel Hamid Mohammed and Ashraf Mohammed Ali Obaid- for drug-related offences. Since July 2024, at least 36 Egyptians have been executed for such non-violent offences.

As Prince William speaks with carefully selected Saudi women about reforms, a reminder that women in the country still face systemic discrimination, and are targeted for arrest and prosecution. Read @maryamaldossari.bsky.social article on the reality. alqst.org/en/post/saud...

At least 356 people were executed in #SaudiArabia in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s record total. More than half were for non-lethal drug offences committed by foreign nationals. Read about this regressive trend in our latest annual report: alqst.org/en/post/stil...

Behind the glittering façade of today’s Saudi Arabia major human rights concerns persist. Read our latest Annual Report, unpacking recent developments, out now: alqst.org/en/post/stil...

At least 356 people were executed in #SaudiArabia in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s record total. More than half were for non-lethal drug offences committed by foreign nationals. Read about this regressive trend in our latest annual report: alqst.org/en/post/stil...

🚩 Behind the glittering façade of today’s Saudi Arabia major human rights concerns persist. Read our latest Annual Report out now, unpacking recent developments. alqst.org/en/post/stil...

After the highest execution toll ever recorded in Saudi Arabia in 2025 (356), the soaring rate of executions shows no sign of slowing down in 2026. 30 individuals have been executed so far, raising fears for the lives of many others currently on death row. #NoDeathPenalty

ALQST founder Yahya Assiri: “This ruling is a true victory, not only for Ghanem, who endured years of patience and suffering, but for all of us and for the cause of human rights”. Read about Ghanem al-Masarir's victory in @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-high...

With the Financial Times' latest report on the scaling back of Saudi Arabia’s Neom megacity, look back at our briefing paper on the wide range of concerns regarding the project. alqst.org/en/post/neom...

In December, Saudi authorities executed Egyptian national Essam al-Shazly for non-lethal drug-related offences, after a grossly unfair trial. Read his heartbreaking story here, one of many foreign nationals to suffer this fate: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

We’re launching a new "Analysis” series, which draws on our expertise and unique Saudi perspectives to explore and contextualise the human rights issues we monitor. Our first piece examines a recent trend: the wave of prisoner releases in Saudi Arabia. alqst.org/en/post/anal...

Saudi Arabia's authorities are carrying out executions at horrifying, record levels. For those in the UK, sign this petition calling on the government to use its influence to press Saudi Arabia to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

During our annual conference, James Lynch (@lynchj.bsky.social), founding co-director of FairSquare (@fairsq.bsky.social), speaks about transnational repression in the UK and the limitations of the British state’s reliance on the police to respond to such acts.

We're looking for a Digital Content Volunteer to help ensure our human rights work reaches wider audiences. Interested in digital media and keen to get hands-on experience in the human rights sector? We'd love to hear from you. Further details here: alqst.org/en/jobs

A Kuwaiti criminal court yesterday sentenced Salman al-Khalidi to 15 years in prison and deportation after serving the sentence. He faces a number of "state security" charges including “openly mocking the royal family through images" and “insulting the authority of the emirate”.

Saudi authorities executed at least 356 people in 2025, surpassing the previous year’s record total to set a grim new milestone for the kingdom. More than half of the executions were for non-lethal drug offences committed by foreign nationals. Read our summary: alqst.org/en/post/high...