Arrests at peaceful protests on the rise
More than 160 protesters and critics are being held without charge, in violation of their rights to peaceful expression and assembly.
Mob damages press in Bahrain; Saudis oust international reporter
Armed assailants stormed the Manama printing facility of the Bahraini independent daily “Al-Wasat”, damaging the press and hindering production of the 15 March 2011 edition.
Interior ministry reiterates ban on all protests, arrests protesters
The government should rescind its categorical ban on peaceful demonstrations and release the more than 20 protesters detained in the eastern town of Qatif, Human Rights Watch said.
Authorities urged to free cleric who backs change
Shaikh Tawfiq al-‘Amir was apparently arrested for calling for a constitutional monarchy and equal rights for Shia Muslims.
Detained critics released, other activists still being held
“The message to Saudi Arabia’s critics seems clear: Don’t speak out or you will stay behind bars until you have learned your lesson and can be released,” said Human Rights Watch.
Ministry of Culture and Information adopts regulation to restrict e-publishing
The regulation applies to all means of e-publications, including blogs, and imposes strict controls on freedom of expression on the Internet.
News website blocked after posting story on WikiLeaks documents
The news website “Elaph” published documents revealing that a Saudi diplomat had urged the United States to attack Iran.
University professor held over Internet article about royal family
Mohammed Abdallah Al-Abdulkarim was arrested after posting an article about King Abdallah bin Abdulaziz health problems and differences in the royal family over the succession.
Egyptian activist arrested in Saudi Arabia
Usama Mishref, coordinator of the National Assembly for Change, was arrested while travelling from Riyadh to Mecca to launch a campaign about democratic reform in Egypt.
Journalist sentenced to public lashing
Reporter Fahd al-Jukhaidib wrote about protests over electricity shortages.
Website blocked, editor detained over misprint
The “al-We’aam” website mistakenly attributed information in an article to the wrong news agency and promptly corrected it – nonetheless, editor Turki al-Ruki was arrested.
Charges against rights activist frivolous, says Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch has seen a copy of Shaikh Mikhlif bin Dahham al-Shammari’s prison file, which lists “annoying others” as the charge against him.
ANHRI concerned over professor’s description of journalists as “soldiers of Satan”
Professor Abdel Rahman AlBarrak described journalists as “soldiers of Satan” owing to his expectation that they would be critical of his call for women to cover their faces.
Rights activist arrested over critical articles
Mikhlif al-Shammari was arrested in connection with articles he wrote and published on several websites that criticised statements by clerics attacking Shia Muslims.
Egyptian academic detained for almost one year without due process
Dr. Abdul Aziz Kamel has been in custody since 13 June 2009 and has yet to be brought to trial.
Authorities block website in record time following launch
Saudi Arabia beat the record set by Tunisia by blocking a site just 15 hours after it had been launched.