On 15 March 2004, a group of human rights defenders were allegedly arrested in connection with their criticism of the newly established National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) for its lack of independence from the government, and for submitting an application, shortly before their arrest, in order to form an independent human rights organization to promote and protect human rights in Saudi Arabia. Their arrest was also allegedly a reprisal for their active engagement, in the last two years, in peaceful activities calling upon the government to take steps towards political reforms, democracy and respect for human rights.
Those still in detention are reportedly being held incommunicado at the General Intelligence (al-Mabahith al-'Amma) in 'Ulaysha, in the capital, Riyadh, and are at risk of torture and ill-treatment. It is reported that an official at the Ministry of Interior announced that the detainees were suspected of issuing "statements which do not serve the unity of the country and the cohesion of society...based on the Islamic religion". 
