Saudi Arabia Campaigns

The global problem of enforced disappearances: “Outside all protection of the law” | Written statement submitted to the UN Human Rights Council

Written statement submitted by Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status. Peacemakers Trust,  The 29 Principles,  Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, Colombian Caravana,  Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre, NGOs without consultative status, … [Read more...]

Enforced disappearances: “Every minute counts” | Joint submission to UN CED and WGEID

Full pdf submission On 15 August 2023, LRWC joined a submission to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance (CED) and the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance (WGEID). The submission, was initiated by Peacemakers Trust and is also endorsed by the Colombian Caravana, The 29 … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Release Dr. Mohammed Fahad Al-Qahtani | Letter

Full .pdf letter (EN) His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques Email: info@moi.gov.sa His Excellency Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Email: info@moi.gov.sa His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Raif Badawi released | Update

Raif Badawi released after 10 years of arbitrary detention but he remains subject to 10-year travel ban Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada welcomes the 11 March 2022 release of blogger and human rights defender Mr. Raif Badawi, now 38, after serving a ten-year prison sentence. He was also sentenced to … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Release lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair from arbitrary detention | Update

January 2022 marks seven years since the 15-year prison sentence of human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair was confirmed by Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Court of Appeal on 12 January 2015. He was targeted for imprisonment because of his representation of clients unpopular with Saudi Arabia's monarchy … [Read more...]

UN Human Rights Council: End reprisals against those engaging with the UN | Joint letter

See full joint letter .pdf (ENG) (updated signatory list) Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada is among 30 NGOs participating in a 5 October 2021 joint letter sent to UN Human Rights Council members and observer States. Initiated by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) seeking support for … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Samar Badawi released after three years of arbitrary detention | Update

LRWC welcomes news on 27 June 2021 that women’s rights defender Samar Badawi has been released from prison in Saudi Arabia after being arbitrarily detained for nearly three years. She was released following the expiry of her sentence. Since 2016, LRWC has conducted advocacy for her release since … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia and Iran: Women’s rights defenders featured in panel for International Women’s Day 2021 | Event

Summary by Rai Friedman, Co-chair for Amnesty International Canada’s Gender Rights team and LRWC case monitor for Saudi Arabia On 18 March  2021, Amnesty International Canada’s Gender Rights team and Amnesty Windsor Law hosted a panel event in support of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2021. … [Read more...]

Yemen: UN Security Council should refer Yemen situation to the ICC: Oral Statement, 46th Session, UN Human Rights Council | Oral Statement

Full PDF (ENG) Direct link to LRWC statement Link to full debate Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item: Item 2: Oral Update of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen Date: 25 February 2021 Speaker: Catherine Morris Oral Statement to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Women’s rights defender Loujain Al-Hathloul released after three years in prison | Welcome Developments

Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada welcomes the release of women’s rights defender, Loujain Al-Hathloul, after 1001 days of imprisonment on spurious charges. She was released on 10 February 2021 after persistent international pressure, including interventions by LRWC. Ms Al-Hathloul was arrested in May … [Read more...]