Heavy-handed state practices prevent families from enjoying Eid festivities

Saudi authorities have been accused of practising a policy of restriction, deprivation and violating the freedom rights against the families of activists and political prisoners during the festival of Eid. 

Among the practices through which the authority seeks to restrict detainees and their families, is preventing contact between family members and depriving many families of the right to visit social reformers and dissidents who are in Saudi prisons.

The restrictions do not stop there. The Saudi state authority also prevents many families of detainees from travelling or meeting with relatives, which is a clear violation of the freedoms and rights of its citizens.

Human rights organisation SANAD is calling on the Saudi authorities to respect the rights of Saudi citizens and grant them freedom of movement, visits and communications, and to lift the oppression and restrictions imposed on ‘prisoners of conscience’ and their families.