International organizations accuse Saudi authorities of detaining human rights activists

SANAA, May 20 (YPA) – International human rights organizations condemned on Saturday the detention of Saudi figures, including activists and human rights activists by the Saudi authorities and called on them to release those figures.

The oraganizations condemned also what they described as “A campaign of difmation launched by the Saudi authorities and its media means against them.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called on Saudi authorities to release the detainees and identified six women’s rights activists.

Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division, said the reform campaign of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the kingdom is terrifiying, because it targets human rights activistes.”

The Saudi authorities have regularly arrested opponents, the organization said since 2011, 30 prominent activists have been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Ahmed Al-Mutawakel