His Only “Crime” — Being the Son of Safar al-Hawali: Abdulrahman Al-Hawali Remains Detained After Over 6 Years

Sanad Human Rights Organization expresses deep concern over the continued detention of Abdulrahman Safar al-Hawali, who has been held by Saudi authorities since July 2018. His arrest came as part of a broader campaign targeting the family of prominent scholar Dr. Safar al-Hawali, who himself remains in detention for over six years following the circulation of a draft book in which he expressed critical views about the situation in the Kingdom.

Sanad confirms that Abdulrahman has been subjected to severe human rights violations during his detention, including enforced disappearance, physical torture, and sleep deprivation during the early months of his arrest. He was also denied visits from his children and faced an unfair trial that initially resulted in a 7-year prison sentence—later arbitrarily increased to 17 years during the appeal process, in violation of basic legal standards.

Abdulrahman is not the only member of his family to be targeted. His brothers, Abdullah and Abdulrahim al-Hawali, remain imprisoned since the same period, as does their uncle Saadallah al-Hawali. This collective punishment reflects a deeply troubling policy of targeting the families of activists and thinkers, in blatant contravention of international law and human rights norms.

Sanad calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdulrahman al-Hawali and all detained members of his family. The organization also urges an end to the practice of retaliating against relatives of dissidents and demands accountability for all those responsible for the abuses they have suffered.