JEDDAH, 8 May 2004 — The National Human Rights Association (NHRA) is continuing to follow up the arrest of three activists in Riyadh two months ago and will check on the condition of prisoners in Saudi jails, according to its vice president.
“Our president will contact officials to discover the details of the arrest of the three academics,” Dr. Bandar Hejar said of the three activists arrested on March 16.
Hejar’s statement came after reports that the three, who have been in detention for seven weeks, would be freed soon after “a mutually acceptable solution” had been reached.
“There are indications that Ali Al-Demaini, Matruk Al-Faleh and Abdullah Al-Hamed will be released within days,” the AFP news agency reported quoting a source.
Demaini, Faleh and Hamed “have reached a reasonable formula concerning an undertaking which is acceptable to them and the authorities, although there is one point still pending,” the source said.
The three activists had been accused of taking part in incitement, sowing dissent and threatening national unity.
After a meeting of the NHRA’s executive council in Jeddah on Thursday, Hejar also told reporters his organization needed a headquarters. “The headquarters will be in Riyadh and will be announced in two weeks,” Al-Madinah Arabic daily quoted him as saying.
He also announced that the association, established in March, had received pledges of financial support from a number of agencies. In a previous statement, NHRA President Dr. Abdullah Al-Obaid said the association was dedicated to the impartial fight against injustice. The Saudi leadership has pledged its support for the association with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd describing its formation as an “appropriate step.” “We will cooperate with all organizations, including Amnesty International,” Obaid said.
