THE COMMITTEE   FOR  THE  DEFENSE  OF  HUMAN  RIGHTS  IN

THE  ARABIAN  PENINSULA 

DATE  : 11 / 4 / 2002 

NO  : 111 / H/ 2002

The Saudi regime launched a wave of arrests against the citizens followed the demonstrations that took place in the towns of Safwa and Awwamiyah. The arrests included scores of people from Eastern Province who participated in those demonstrations, among them are:

1- Ramzi Mohammad Al Jamal, 24, from Awwamiyah in Qatif.

2- Soud Ali Al S'eed ,  31, from Awwamiyah in Qatif.

3- Abdul Hameed al-Mazra`  , 26, from Awwamiyah in Qatif.

4- Muslam Abu Abdullah , 25, from Awwamiyah in Qatif.

The Saudi security forces are still running after some of them to arrest .

On 7/4/2002 the office of the regional governor of Qatif called on some religious scholars and notables of Safwa with the presence of the head of police in Qatif (Mahmmoud al-Saq`bi) , the head of public security (al-Mabahith al-`Amma) in Qatif , the chief of police in Safwa (Ali al-Qahtani) and several police officers.

The governor warned and threatened the delegation that they must stop those demonstrate or the police would attack the demonstrations with gun , and use all means of force.

When a scholar tried to say that the Government should use mercy against these actions and to release the detainees, he was interrupted by the governor and said that they would use the force against the protesters and would be arrested.

This terrorist reaction  by using fire against the peaceful gatherings and demonstrations is gross abuse of human rights and a breach on people's security and dignity.

These rights are guaranteed by Shari`a and international human rights treaties which confirm the citizens' rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

It is worth mentioning that members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma arrested 18 citizens in Safwa who subjected to torture and flogging in police centre.

The security forces banned a demonstration in Safwa and blocked the main streets.

It is reportedly that a lot of security forces gathered in Dammam coast road expecting some demonstrations near the complex of the restaurants which were announced on Friday 12/4/2002.

Reliable sources reported that on 11/4/2002 , the security forces surrounding the central square and the neighboring areas in Qatif and attack the demonstrators with batons and hot water. The demonstrations are still continuous till today.