Saudi authorities are preparing to forcibly deport Egyptian national Ahmed Kamel to his home country, where he faces the imminent risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment.
This measure constitutes a blatant violation of the principle of non-refoulement, enshrined in Article 3 of the UN Convention Against Torture, which explicitly prohibits the extradition or deportation of individuals to states where they face the risk of torture or inhumane treatment.
Ahmed Kamel was actively involved in the Arab Spring protests in 2011 and 2014, during which he sustained gunshot wounds, leading to long-term health complications.
Following the 2014 demonstrations, he was arrested in Egypt, subjected to torture, and later released on bail. Fearing further persecution, he fled to Saudi Arabia, seeking safety.
However, in October 2022, Saudi authorities arrested him at Egypt’s request via an Interpol Red Notice, only to release him three days later. In November 2024, he was rearrested under a renewed Red Notice, despite growing concerns that Egypt systematically exploits Interpol mechanisms to pursue political dissidents. He has since been sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison for his role in peaceful protests.
Deporting Ahmed Kamel to Egypt would constitute a flagrant breach of international law, particularly given Cairo’s well-documented record of severe human rights violations. Reports consistently highlight that political detainees in Egypt are routinely subjected to torture, enforced disappearance, and grossly unfair trials.
His wife has urged immediate intervention to halt his deportation, emphasising that her husband has resided legally in Saudi Arabia for over a decade and has committed no crime warranting his detention or extradition.
As a signatory to the UN Convention Against Torture since 1997, Saudi Arabia is legally bound to prevent the deportation of individuals to countries where they are at risk of torture. Proceeding with Kamel’s extradition exposes Saudi Arabia to heightened international scrutiny and criticism, particularly amid growing concerns over government misuse of Interpol to target political opponents.
This case demands urgent action from Saudi authorities to immediately release Ahmed Kamel, halt his deportation, and reaffirm their commitment to international human rights standards. The international community must exert pressure on Riyadh to end the practice of forced deportations, which place political dissidents at grave risk of persecution and abuse.
