Saudi rights NGOs write to king about jailed activist

(January 5, 2010) A Saudi human rights group has sent an open letter to King Abdullah complaining about what it called the "brutal torture" of a prominent 70-year old rights activist and demanding the release of other detained activists. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that has no elected parliament and does not tolerate public displays of dissent. "(Former) Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi has recently been subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in his solitary confinement for the past three years," the Civil and Political Rights Association said in an emailed statement. Reshoudi has been jailed without trial since 2007 after he and nine other activists were arrested for drafting a petition that demanded political reforms such as drafting a national constitution and establishing the right of freedom of assembly. The group urged Abdullah to put an end to degrading practices which tarnish the state's reputation and challenge King Abdullah’s personal credibility. Another independent human rights group, Human Rights First Society, also criticised what it described as "ill treatment" of Reshoudi and urged King Abdullah to ensure his immediate release and that of other activists held without trial.