Continued Detention of Lina Al-Sharif: An Urgent Call from SANAD Human Rights Organization

The Saudi authorities continue to detain Dr. Lina Al-Sharif, a physician and human rights advocate, since May 26, 2021, due to tweets in which she criticized the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. Since her arrest, Lina has been subjected to enforced disappearance, where she has been denied communication with her family or the ability to appoint a lawyer, constituting a violation of her fundamental rights.

Despite more than three years having passed since her detention, the authorities continue to maintain secrecy regarding Lina Al-Sharif’s detention conditions, as well as her physical and mental health, in clear violation of international conventions that guarantee detainees the right to a fair trial and humane detention conditions.

SANAD expresses its deep concern over the ongoing enforced disappearance and calls for the immediate release of Lina Al-Sharif. The organization also urges the international community and human rights organizations to urgently intervene to protect her rights and to ensure the release of all prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia.