Front Line is following with concern and hope the court proceedings in a lawsuit filed against the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia regarding the arbitrary detention of Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi, a leading human rights defender and a member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA).

Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi has been held in incommunicado detention for more than three years, having never been officially charged with any offence. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for 7 August 2010. Front Line previously issued an appeal on behalf of Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi on 25 March 2010.

Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi and eight other civil rights leaders were arrested in Jeddah on 2 February 2007 by officials from the Directorate of General Investigations (DGI). They were detained in relation to their advocacy for peaceful political change and for the protection and promotion of human rights. In particular, they were targeted by the authorities after they circulated a petition calling for political reform and discussed a proposal to establish an independent human rights organisation in Saudi Arabia. In January 2010 Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi was transferred from Dhaban prison in Jeddah to Al-Hair prison in Riyadh.

On 16 August 2009, a lawsuit on behalf of Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi was filed by his defence team against the Ministry of Interior – which is competent for the DGI - before the Fifth Administrative Circuit Court (Grievances) in Riyadh. The first court hearing in this case was originally scheduled for 21 December 2009 but was postponed until 3 February 2010 when the Ministry of the Interior's lawyer did not attend. Subsequent hearings took place on 27 February, 20 March, 28 April, and 16 June 2010. The Ministry of the Interior has thus far failed to provide the court with a list of charges against Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi and his colleagues.

During the last court hearing on 16 June 2010, Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi's defence team submitted to the court copies of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD)'s opinion, which declared in 2007 that the arrest and detention of Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi and his colleagues were arbitrary (Opinion No. 27/2007 on November 28, 2007). The defence team reiterated their demand for the immediate release of Judge Suliman Al-Reshoudi in the light of his deteriorating health, even if only released on bail. The defence team have issued a detailed statement on the events of the session (the full statement can be found at http://www.acpra6.org/news_view_59.html).

Front Line believes that Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi continues to be arbitrarily held in incommunicado detention as a direct result of his human rights activities. Front Line fears for the physical and psychological integrity of Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi whilst in detention.

For the original Front Line appeal on this case please refer to: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2422

Front Line urges the authorities in Saudi Arabia to:

1.Immediately and unconditionally release Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi, as Front Line believes that he is being held solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights; 2. Ensure that the treatment of Judge Suliman Ibrahim Al-Reshoudi, while in detention, adheres to all those conditions set out in the ‘Basic Principles for Treatment of Prisoners', adopted by General Assembly Resolution 45/111 of 14 December 1990; 3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions.