Mohammed al-Hazza, a Saudi artist, received a 23-year prison sentence for allegedly creating offensive cartoons and social media posts critical of the Saudi Arabian leadership. This case highlights the ongoing suppression of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, even as the country attempts to modernize and attract foreign investment. The severity of the sentence and the circumstances surrounding his arrest raise significant concerns about human rights and due process within the kingdom. The seemingly arbitrary nature of the charges and the extended prison term suggest a broader pattern of suppressing dissent. This extended sentence, handed down after an initial six-year term was almost served, underscores the precarious situation for those expressing opinions contrary to the government’s narrative. The lack of transparency and the secretive nature of the Specialized Criminal Court add to the apprehension surrounding freedom of speech in the kingdom.

The Case of Mohammed al-Hazza: A 23-Year Sentence for Cartoons

The Arrest and Charges

Mohammed al-Hazza, a 48-year-old father of five, was arrested in February 2018 during a raid on his home. Authorities seized his artwork and digital materials. The charges against him stemmed from cartoons he allegedly created for the Qatari newspaper, Lusail, and social media posts deemed “hostile” to Saudi Arabia and supportive of Qatar. The timing of the arrest is notable, occurring shortly after Saudi Arabia and its allies severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in 2017. Although ties were restored in 2021, the accusations against Hazza appear to be inextricably linked to this period of heightened geopolitical tension. The lack of clear evidence linking the cartoons to offenses against Saudi Arabia further fuels concerns about the fairness of the trial. The initial six-year sentence was unexpectedly overturned and replaced with a 23-year term, raising significant questions about judicial independence and due process within the Saudi judicial system.

The Role of the Specialized Criminal Court

The Specialized Criminal Court, established in 2008 to handle terrorism-related cases, oversaw Hazza’s trial. This court has been criticized by human rights organizations for its lack of transparency and its tendency towards lengthy sentences, often for vaguely defined offenses. The court’s involvement in this case underscores a broader concern about the conflation of artistic expression with terrorism-related offenses in Saudi Arabia. The secretive nature of its proceedings and the lack of independent oversight make it difficult to ascertain the impartiality of judgments rendered. The secretive nature of this court raises serious doubts about whether fundamental principles of justice, transparency and due process, were upheld during al-Hazza’s trial and sentencing. The initial six year sentence which was replaced with a considerably longer prison term illustrates a trend of opaque judicial procedures in which fair trial guarantees are violated.

Suppression of Freedom of Expression in Saudi Arabia

The Crackdown on Dissent

Saudi Arabia has faced increasing international criticism for its human rights record, particularly regarding freedom of expression. While the country has undertaken reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, these reforms have not extended to a greater tolerance of dissent. The arrest and sentencing of al-Hazza represent a continuation of the crackdown on any form of expression deemed critical of the government, extending beyond overt political activism to include artistic and satirical expression. The kingdom continues to imprison writers, activists, and religious leaders. The opaque judicial system enables such suppression of free speech with the appearance of legal recourse without due process. The lack of a free press and independent judiciary exacerbate these problems.

International Condemnation

Numerous human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and ALQST, have consistently documented human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. These organizations have condemned Hazza’s sentencing, highlighting the broader pattern of suppressing freedom of expression within the kingdom. International pressure has been applied, but the continued repression suggests that such pressure has limited impact on the Saudi authorities. These organizations raise concerns regarding the fairness and independence of the Saudi judicial system. While some efforts have been made toward social and economic reform, these advancements are undermined by a simultaneous tightening of controls on fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression and the absence of an independent judiciary. The impact of international condemnation appears to be minimal thus far, demonstrating a clear lack of adherence to internationally recognized human rights principles.

Saudi Arabia’s Image and the Global Stage

Balancing Modernization with Repression

Saudi Arabia’s attempts to project a modernized image on the global stage are often at odds with its domestic policies regarding human rights. The kingdom has invested heavily in tourism and foreign investment but simultaneously maintains a strict system of repression towards dissent. The government’s actions towards those who express opposing viewpoints, including those of artists, directly undermines the trustworthiness and believability of their purported dedication to openness and tolerance. The country’s global image suffers, with long-term reputational damage resulting from its ongoing crackdown on artistic expression and human rights violations. Investors, as well as international businesses, may think twice when weighing potential profit gains against a potential reputation risk. In the long term, the sustained suppression of freedom of expression may become counter-productive for Saudi Arabia’s goals of modernisation and increased global influence.

The Future of Artistic Expression in Saudi Arabia

The sentencing of Mohammed al-Hazza sends a chilling message to artists and other forms of creative expression. The consequences for engaging in even vaguely critical artistic commentary are profound. The risk of arrest and prolonged imprisonment poses a serious obstacle to the free flow of information and artistic creativity, even potentially undermining future artistic endeavors within the nation itself. The prolonged silencing of any form of artistic criticism may impact the quality and quantity of works produced in the future, as artists self-censor, thus perpetuating a restrictive creative climate. This could potentially negatively impact Saudi Arabia’s future ability to cultivate talent, thus hampering its aspirations in fields of cultural creativity and innovation, among other negative ramifications.

Take Away Points:

• The 23-year sentence for Mohammed al-Hazza highlights the suppression of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia.
• The Specialized Criminal Court’s involvement raises concerns about judicial independence and due process.
• International condemnation has had limited impact on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
• Saudi Arabia’s attempts at modernization are undermined by its ongoing crackdown on dissent.