Twenty human rights organizations have urged Bulgaria to prevent the deportation of Saudi activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi back to Saudi Arabia, citing concerns about potential persecution. The plea highlights the importance of adhering to international laws protecting individuals from torture and inhumane treatment. Al-Khalidi’s case emphasizes the need for careful consideration of asylum claims amid ongoing human rights issues under Saudi leadership.
On Monday, a coalition of 20 human rights organizations urged Bulgarian authorities to halt the deportation of Saudi human rights activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia and instead facilitate his resettlement to a third nation. Al-Khalidi has advocated for human rights and prisoners’ rights for over ten years. He fled Saudi Arabia in 2013 due to fear of persecution and continued his activism by writing critical articles and engaging in the “Bees Army” online movement established by journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
After Khashoggi’s tragic murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, al-Khalidi sought asylum in Bulgaria. However, in May 2022, the State Agency for Refugees in Bulgaria denied his asylum application, ruling against his claims of a credible risk of persecution upon returning to Saudi Arabia. Al-Khalidi has appealed this decision to the Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria on two occasions.
The National Security Agency of Bulgaria issued an expulsion order against al-Khalidi in February 2024, which the Sofia Administrative Court confirmed in October 2024. However, this order cannot be enforced until all concurrent appeals regarding his asylum case are resolved. Joey Shea, a Saudi Arabia researcher at Human Rights Watch, cautioned that Bulgaria might breach the principle of non-refoulement, which safeguards foreign nationals from being sent back to nations where they could face danger.
The legal framework supporting al-Khalidi’s situation includes Article 3 of the Convention against Torture, which forbids expelling individuals to states where they might suffer torture. Similarly, the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights uphold the prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment. Furthermore, Article 33 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees clearly states that refugees must not be returned to areas where they may encounter persecution.
Human rights organizations highlight that under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has increasingly targeted dissidents. For instance, the execution of 81 individuals in March 2022 marked the country’s largest mass execution in many years, contradicting prior commitments to limit capital punishment.
In summary, the call for Bulgarian authorities to suspend the deportation of Abdulrahman al-Khalidi highlights critical concerns regarding international human rights laws and the protections afforded to individuals facing persecution. The situation underscores the responsibilities of nations under treaties that safeguard against torture and illegal refoulement. As international scrutiny intensifies, it remains crucial that Bulgaria adhere to these obligations to protect human rights defenders like al-Khalidi.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
