Human Rights Watch Calls On Saudi To Release Two Men Charged With "Insulting" Islam

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Saudi Arabian government Tuesday to dismiss court cases against two charged with "insulting" Islam. The international rights organization said in a statement that the charges against a Saudi Internet critic and a Turkish barber are "an unequivocal violation of freedom of expression protected under international law."

The Saudi man is accused of using his Web site to criticize the actions of the country's religious police and the Turkish barber is on trial for cursing the name of God.

"Criminalizing speech on grounds that it is insulting might appease some people, but it violates the fundamental human right of free speech," Middle East Director for HRW said.

"The Saudi government uses these laws primarily to silence its critics."

The Saudi man is being tried in Jeddah with "setting up an electronic site that insults Islam." The prosecution is asking for a five-year prison term and a 3 million riyal ($800,000) fine.

"Saudi assertions of increased freedom of expression ring hollow in light of the systematic silencing of critics who dare to speak their minds publicly," Whitson said.