Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) has condemned the Saudi government’s refusal to allow a UN-appointed expert to meet with two elderly religious scholars imprisoned in the Kingdom for expressing their views, calling the move a “flagrant violation of international human rights standards.”

The condemnation follows an official visit to Saudi Arabia by Dr. Claudia Mahler, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of older persons, who was in the country from April 20 to 30, 2025, at the invitation of the Saudi government. Despite her official status, Mahler was denied access to Sheikh Safar al-Hawali, 75, who lives with a disability, and Dr. Salman al-Awda, 69—both prominent religious figures who have been detained for several years over their peaceful expression of opinion.

In a preliminary statement following her visit, Mahler expressed serious concern about the health and conditions of the two detainees, stating that the Saudi authorities’ refusal raised broader alarm about the treatment of elderly political prisoners across the Kingdom’s prison system. A full report on her findings is expected to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025.

Mahler’s visit coincided with the death of another elderly prisoner, Qassim al-Qathrdi, a 73-year-old retired academic who died in Abha Prison on April 28. Al-Qathrdi had been serving an eight-year sentence after attending an intellectual discussion and possessing a book by a former Saudi diplomat. While the Saudi government has not released details regarding the cause of his death, a human rights activist in Abha reported that medical negligence was responsible.

WJWC said the events underscored the urgent need for transparency and independent oversight of the Kingdom’s prisons, particularly for older detainees whose health is at risk.

“The Saudi authorities’ refusal to cooperate with a UN-mandated expert sends a deeply troubling signal,” said WJWC in a statement. “This is a clear violation of international standards and a serious breach of the Kingdom’s obligations under human rights law.”

The organization noted that the health and well-being of detained elderly individuals require special care, especially in prolonged detention. It warned that many others face similarly harsh conditions. Among those named were:

• Dr. Awad Al-Qarni, 68
• Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Abdullatif, 65
• Aida Al-Ghamdi, 66
• Dr. Rashid Al-Alma’i, 72
• Dr. Ibrahim Al-Fares, 68
• Journalist Zuhair Katbi, 69
• Mohammad bin Dlaim Al-Qahtani, 67
• Ibrahim Al-Nasser, 71
• Saud Al-Hashemi, 60
• Abdullah Al-Yahya, 74
• Ibrahim Al-Huwaiti, 70

WJWC emphasized that many of these individuals are being held for peaceful expression of opinion, and that their advanced age, disabilities, and fragile health put them at high risk of abuse, neglect, and preventable death in custody.

Saudi Arabia has ratified several key international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention Against Torture, and the Arab Charter on Human Rights. It also adopted the Elderly Rights and Care Law in 2022, promising to uphold dignity, independence, and protection for individuals aged 60 and above.

Article 27 of the Kingdom’s Basic Law of Governance also guarantees support for citizens in cases of old age, sickness, and disability. Yet rights organizations argue that these legal safeguards are not being implemented in practice.

“Access to UN mechanisms is not optional—it is a fundamental right and a pillar of international cooperation,” WJWC said. “Denying entry to the UN Special Rapporteur not only blocks independent scrutiny but endangers lives.”

WJWC called on the international community to increase pressure on the Saudi government to:

• Provide public clarification on the refusal to allow Dr. Mahler to meet al-Hawali and al-Awda.
• Grant immediate and unconditional access to independent observers, especially to elderly detainees.
• Ensure appropriate medical care and humane detention conditions for all elderly prisoners.
• Review the cases of elderly prisoners held over peaceful speech and consider their release.
• Facilitate full cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms and allow them access to relevant individuals and information.

“Respect for the human rights of older persons is a litmus test for any country’s commitment to justice,” WJWC concluded