The Fifth Anniversary of Journalist Zana Al-Shahri’s Disappearance: An Unknown Fate After Years of Detention

These days mark the fifth anniversary of the arrest of journalist Zana Al-Shahri, who has been forcibly disappeared since her detention in November 2019. She was deprived of her freedom and her right to express her views because of opinions she shared. Zana worked as a journalist and translator for “Al-Asr” magazine.

It is worth noting that Zana Al-Shahri is not the only journalist detained in Saudi prisons. The wave of arrests has affected many journalists, including Malik Al-Ahmad, Ali Mohsen Abu Luhoum, Ahmed Abdulqader, Zuhair Kutbi, Osama Sohaili, Sami Al-Thubaiti, and others. Saudi Arabia ranked 166th globally in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index out of 170 countries, clearly reflecting repressive practices aimed at silencing dissenting voices and restricting press freedom.

Sanad Rights Organization calls on Saudi authorities to reveal the fate of Zana Al-Shahri and release her unconditionally. The organization also urges all human rights entities and press freedom organizations to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia to release Al-Shahri and all detained journalists.