Front Line is deeply concerned by the ongoing detention without charge of human rights defender Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh. Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh has been held in solitary confinement in Alhayer prison since his arrest on 19 May 2008 at King Sa’ud University in Riyad, where he is professor of Political Science. Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh is also a prominent member of the Arab Commission for Human Rights which is based in Paris. Front Line previously issued an appeal concerning the arrest of Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh on 20 May 2008.
Further Information
posted 05/11/08 According to information received by Front Line, since 19 May 2008 Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh has been denied legal consultation and regular visits and has not been officially charged. He has not been allowed to see his attorney or to communicate with the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution. According to reports received, Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh is being held in solitary confinement which is a clear violation of international norms and also a violation of article 119 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law which allows solitary confinement for a maximum of two months.
For the first two months of his detention, Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh was denied visits from his family, during which time he went on hunger strike for twenty days. His wife, Jamellah Aloqlaa, and children were subsequently allowed to visit him however on 2 October 2008, his wife issued a statement that, despite promises by the authorities, she was denied visitation rights to her husband for the Eid-El-Fetr festival on 1 October 2008. Reports also indicate that Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh, who suffers from high blood pressure, diabetes, skin irritation and rheumatism, has been denied adequate medical treatment and access to fresh air and exercise.
On November 19, 2008, Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh will complete six months in detention which is the maximum detention period without trial according to article 114 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law. However the Saudi Arabian authorities have indicated no intention to charge or release Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh.
Prior to his arrest on 19 May 2008 Dr Matrouk al-Faleh had been acting as legal representative for the brothers Isaa al-Hamid and Dr Abdullah al-Hamid who were serving prison sentences of six and four months’ respectively. They had been found guilty of incitement to protest, charges that were brought against them after they supported and took part in a peaceful demonstration outside al- Buraida prison, north of Riyadh, by women relatives of political detainees held at the prison. The reason for Dr Matrouk al-Faleh's arrest may be connected to the publication on 17 May 2008 of an article he wrote following his visit to al- Buraida prison in which he referred to Dr Abdullah al-Hamid and Issa al-Hamid, and criticised their harsh and overcrowded prison conditions.
Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh was previously arrested in March 2004 after calling for political reform, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment in May 2005 on charges that included “sowing dissent and disobeying the ruler.” He was released after being granted a royal pardon by King Abdullah on 8 August 2005. Since his release he has not been given permission to travel abroad. Front Line believes that the detention of Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh is the result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, in particular his defence of civil and political rights. In view of reports of the denial of medical treatment to Dr Matrouk Al-Faleh Front Line is seriously concerned for his physical and psychological integrity.
Action Finished:
This Urgent Appeal has now ended. No further action is requested at this point. Thank you for taking action on this case.
Front Line issues Urgent Appeals on behalf of human rights defenders at risk on a daily basis. These Appeals normally remain active on our web site for a period of up to six weeks, depending on the situation. After this time they will be archived. Front Line maintains a watching brief on all these cases but no further action is requested after the six weeks, unless there is a significant development in the case.
