ACPRA Legally Challenges MOI’s Arbitrary Travel Bans In The Court of Grievances:
A Call For All Those Banned From Travel Without A Court Order In Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The travel ban illicitly imposed by the Saudi Ministry of Interior (MOI) is a flagrant violation of international law, which clearly states: “Everybody has the right to leave and return to his country in a complete freedom.” Moreover, the arbitrary travel ban conspicuously contradicts Article 13 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that states: “Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” Furthermore, other international human rights conventions- such as International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights- which declares that: “Everyone shall be free to leave any country, including his own.” The travel freedom has been also stated in the Arab Charter On Human Rights (2004), which has been signed and ratified by the government of Saudi Arabia, Article 27(1) clearly argues: “No one shall be arbitrarily or unlawfully prevented from leaving any country, including his own, nor prohibited from residing, or compelled to reside, in any part of his country.”
The Saudi Basic Law of Governance has stated in its 36th Article: “The State shall provide security for all citizens and residents on its territories. No-one may be confined, arrested or imprisoned without reference to the Law.” The Basic Law of Governance also states in its 38th Article: “No-one shall be punished for another’s crimes. No conviction or penalty shall be inflicted without reference to the Sharia or the provisions of the Law. Punishment shall not be imposed ex post facto.”
Based on the aforementioned conventions, charters and law, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), through its two co-founders: Fahad Abdulaziz Al-Oraini and Mohammed Saleh Al-Bejadi, intends to file a lawsuit against the Saudi Ministry of Interior – the Security Affairs – in the Court of Grievances (the Administrative Court) because of its imposition of unjust and arbitrary travel bans that violate the right of many citizens without a judicial ruling. We call upon all those who are banned from travel to include their names to demand lifting the illicit travel bans.
For all those who are interested, kindly call or email the two members as their contacts info appears below:
- Fahad Abdulaziz Al-Oraini, cellular phone: +96650266678, email: [email protected]
- Mohammed Salih Al-Bejadi, Cellular phone: +966553256777, email: [email protected].
The list of the names who have already joined the lawsuit:
1. Professor Abdullah H. Al-Hamid.
2. Professor Abdulhameed M. Al-Mubarak.
3. Abdulrahman Radhi Al-Sohaimi.
4. Abdulaziz M. Al-Whaibi.
5. Fahad A. Al-Oraini.
6. Professor Matrook H. Al-Falih.
7. Mohammed Salih Al-Bejadi.
8. Mohanna M. Al-Falih
Attention: the deadline to include names in the lawsuit would be November 26, 2010