“We were able to bring a number of Saudi prisoners who were serving long-term jail sentences in Egypt and there are still others waiting for procedures to be completed by the Saudi Embassy in Cairo,” said Mufleh Al-Qahtani, chairman of the NSHR.

He added that the NSHR is following up on matters concerning Saudi prisoners in countries such as Iraq, Syria and the United States, and asked Saudi embassies in these countries to follow up on Saudi prisoners and coordinate with concerned bodies.

According to media reports, Saudi prisoners at the notorious Al-Qanatir prison in Egypt were continuing their hunger strike for a third day on Wednesday because of ill treatment and deteriorating conditions.

The reports said some of the Saudi prisoners, particularly those who have spent long periods in Egyptian prisons, have asked the embassy to negotiate with the Egyptian officials the possibility of being transferred to the Kingdom.

In a press statement Wednesday, the NSHR expressed appreciation of the people’s solidarity with the Saudi leadership, something that made the call for demonstrations last Friday a complete failure. It, however, said the right of the people to express their opinions according to the prevailing rules and regulations should not be denied.

The society said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s political reforms must continue and urged the authorities to ensure wider participation of citizens in elections for municipal and regional councils as well as the Shoura Council.

It also called for accountability and for questioning of corrupt officials. “The national strategy to protect integrity and fight corruption, which was approved by the Council of Ministers, must be implemented without delay,” it said.

The society asked for maintaining judicial independence and protecting judges from external influence and intervention.

“The cases of people without IDs must be rectified so as to enable them to gain their legitimate rights,” it said.

The society also called for the continuation of the national dialogue that was initiated by King Abdullah.