Saudi Arabia blocks Amnesty International for criticism

Amnesty International website banned in Saudi Arabia/ Photo credit: ThinkProgress

Amnesty International published its analysis of a leaked copy of the draft law on Friday. The organization condemned the proposed law’s treatment of peaceful dissent as “terrorist crimes”, as well as the wide-ranging powers the Minister of Interior would hold, free from judicial authorization or oversight.

Several journalists and human rights activists based in Saudi Arabia independently confirmed that they were unable to access the www.amnesty.org website today. 

“Instead of attacking those raising concerns and attempting to block debate, the Saudi Arabian government should amend the draft law to ensure that it does not muzzle dissent and deny basic rights,” said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Director.

The Saudi Arabian Embassy in London released a statement on Saturday calling Amnesty International’s concerns about the law “baseless,” saying that the “suggestion that this draft law would be used to suppress dissent, rather than against terrorists, is wrong.”

The draft law allows for extended detention without charge or trial, fails to prohibit torture or other ill-treatment and would mean harsh penalties for peaceful acts of dissent.

It allows for a minimum 10-year prison sentence for “questioning the integrity” of the royal family. Other actions broadly defined as “terrorist crimes” carry a death sentence. 

“Saudi Arabia’s blanket denials are at odds with the draft law’s contents,” said Malcolm Smart.

“The Saudi Arabian government is simply adding insult to injury by curtailing freedoms in the name of countering terrorism.”

Saudi Arabia’s consideration of the draft law comes amid months of pro-reform protests across the Middle East and North Africa.