The United States on Wednesday urged Saudi Arabia to respect freedom of expression.
washington:
The United States on Wednesday urged Saudi Arabia to respect freedom of expression after Riyadh jailed a number of dissidents.
"We are concerned by reports that Saudi courts recently sentenced several members of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) to prison sentences of eight to 10 years for charges related to establishing a human rights organization and criticizing the government," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.
Saudi Arabia on Monday jailed a civil rights activist Abdulkareem al-Khoder for 10 years using a counter-terrorism law designed to stifle free speech, according to Amnesty International.
Khoder was one of 11 founding members of ACPRA who are already behind bars or on trial for calling for political and human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia, the London-based watchdog said.
"We urge the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to uphold the fundamental right of freedom of expression for all of its citizens," Toner added.
"We are concerned by reports that Saudi courts recently sentenced several members of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) to prison sentences of eight to 10 years for charges related to establishing a human rights organization and criticizing the government," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.
Saudi Arabia on Monday jailed a civil rights activist Abdulkareem al-Khoder for 10 years using a counter-terrorism law designed to stifle free speech, according to Amnesty International.
Khoder was one of 11 founding members of ACPRA who are already behind bars or on trial for calling for political and human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia, the London-based watchdog said.
"We urge the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to uphold the fundamental right of freedom of expression for all of its citizens," Toner added.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
