Ninth Anniversary of Human Rights Activist Issa Al-Hamid’s Arbitrary Arrest in Saudi Arabia
Today, 16 September 2026, marks the ninth anniversary of the arrest of human rights activist Issa Al-Hamid by Saudi authorities. He remains detained over his peaceful human rights advocacy and calls for human rights and political reforms in the Kingdom.
Saudi authorities arrested Al-Hamid on 16 September 2017 over his role in founding the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), an independent human rights organization that called for greater respect for human rights and political reform.
The Specialized Criminal Court sentenced him to 11 years in prison, followed by an 11-year travel ban, in addition to a fine of SAR 100,000.
The charges against him included damaging the reputation of the Council of Religious Scholars, insulting the judiciary, participating in the establishment of an unlicensed organization—a reference to ACPRA—and communicating with international organizations to tarnish the country’s image, according to human rights reports.
SANAD Human Rights Organization states that Issa Al-Hamid’s continued detention for a ninth year constitutes a clear violation of his fundamental rights, particularly his rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to engage in peaceful human rights work. SANAD stresses that his detention stems from his legitimate human rights activism and calls on Saudi authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally and overturn all sentences and restrictions imposed in connection with his case.
