Prosecuted for Forming Human Rights Groups

By Larry Kilman

Friday, 18 November 2016

Even Saudi Arabia has recognized the place of NGOs (or private associations) in society, but that recognition is evidently too late for Mohammad al-Otaibi and Abdullah al-Attawi, who have been charged with “forming an unlicensed organization”, according to Human Rights Watch.

“None of the alleged ‘crimes’ listed in the charge sheet resemble recognizable criminal behavior, “ Human Rights Watch said.

While NGOs have become an important part of international relations and global governance, and contribute to development in many nations, their legal status can leave them vulnerable, particularly at the national level. Many countries – Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and a host of others – impose severe restrictions on their activities.

Some NGOs face arbitrary closures, imprisonment of workers and other pressures. Even in democratic countries, NGOs that raise inconvenient issues can be expelled or closed.

In the face of these challenges, many NGOs have taken proactive steps to protect their activities and their workers. There are also global organizations dedicated to this work (INSO, AWSD, HPN etc). 

Governments must also do more to protect NGOs, both their activities and their staff . This handbook from the Protection Project helps explain.