Saudi exiles in Britain report threats and harassment for advocating human rights improvements in their homeland. Despite Saudi Arabia’s efforts to appear reformed since journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in 2018, British-based Saudis face intimidation, according to a report today by the Guardian.
Activist Yahya Assiri, leading human rights group ALQST since 2014, found a knife outside his London home. His family was approached and told they could seek help from the Saudi embassy if they disagreed with his views. “As a father, it really left me worried,” Assiri said.
Saudi Arabia, identified alongside Iran, Russia and Turkiye, uses transnational repression to silence exiles, the report said. Freedom House reported at least six threats to Saudis in Europe. Safa Al-Ahmad, a Saudi journalist, stated: “If they decide to go after you, there’s no place that’s really safe.”
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Exiles fear for relatives in Saudi Arabia, who face retaliation from authorities. Joey Shea of Human Rights Watch (HRW) mentioned the vulnerability of family members left behind. “The physical risks here [in the UK] and the risk to family members back in Saudi Arabia are huge,” she said.
Fawzia Al-Otaibi’s sisters faced travel bans and imprisonment due to her activism. “I believe they are punishing and torturing my sisters because they are unable to punish me,” she is quoted as saying.
Assiri and others criticised the British government for not taking threats seriously. After reporting the knife incident, Assiri received little response from the police. “Whenever I speak to the [British] government, they always say to me: ‘Don’t worry. We are aware of everything; you are safe,’” Assiri said.
Lina Al-Hathloul, whose sister was jailed for leading a women’s driving campaign, accused Britain of ignoring Saudi human rights abuses: “The Saudis have managed to muzzle everyone’s voices.”
The newspaper noted that a police spokesperson acknowledged increasing cases of foreign interference but assured that all allegations are investigated and necessary support provided. The Saudi embassy in London declined to comment.
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