The Saudi authorities continue to subject the thinker, Dr. Safar Al-Hawali, 70, and three of his sons to enforced disappearance after their arrest on July 12, 2018, and transfer to an unknown destination.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) called on the Saudi authorities to immediately release Al-Hawali, who was arrested after publishing a book criticising the policy of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and making recommendations.
The state security forces arrested Al-Hawali’s four sons and his brother as well. Since his arrest, Al-Hawali has been denied medical care and deprived of contacting the outside world.
Al-Hawali’s sons are Abdullah, Abdel Rahman, Ibrahim (who was released in February 2020) and Abdel Rahim, and his brother is Saad Allah Al-Hawali.
Since his arrest, Al-Hawali rarely communicated with his family due to the severe speech impairment he suffers from, as he cannot communicate by phone.
Al-Hawali suffered from repeated strokes that led to permanent speech impairment, making it impossible for him to speak clearly or be understood.
He also suffers from a pelvic fracture and kidney failure, which requires continuous medical care. It is also worth noting that Al-Hawali’s health conditions deteriorated severely immediately after his arrest, and he is currently held incommunicado and left to die slowly in custody.
The Specialised Criminal Court in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, had issued prison sentences against Al-Hawali’s sons and relatives.
The court decided to imprison his son Abdel Rahman for seven years, and his two sons Abdullah and Abdel Rahim for six years, however the court has not yet issued any rulings against Dr. Safar Al-Hawali.
