On 19 October 2022, 84-year-old Palestinian national Dr Mohammed Al Khoudary was released for detention in Saudi Arabia and deported to Jordan. Dr Mohammed Al Khoudary had been arbitrarily detained in Saudi Arabia for over 3.5 years, along with his son Dr Hani Al Khoudary. Both were tried as part of a mass unfair trial of more than 60 Palestinians living and working in Saudi Arabia.  

Haydee Dijkstal acted as international counsel for Dr Mohammed Al Khoudary and Dr Hani Al Khoudary before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. 

Dr Mohammed Al Khoudary’s release comes after a finding by the UN Working Group of Arbitrary Detention called for the Al Khoudarys’ ‘immediate and unconditional’ release.  On the Al Khoudarys’ behalf, Ms Dijkstal secured a finding by the Working Group (Opinion 34/2021) that their detention is arbitrary, and that their fundamental human rights - including to a fair trial, due process, against torture, to adequate health care and to communication with family – have been continuously violated.  The UN Working Group’s Opinion found that the Al Khoudary “we're targeted based on their status as Palestinian nationals residing in Saudi Arabia” and that the violations of their right to a fair trial “of such gravity as to give [their] detention … an arbitrary character.”  The UN Working Group therefore called for the Al Khoudarys’ ‘immediate and unconditional’ and for the Al Khoudary’s to be provided compensation and other reparations.   

The Working Group also highlighted that the Al Khoudary’s case along with many others in Saudi Arabia cause it serious concern as to a “systemic problem with arbitrary detention in Saudi Arabia, which amounts to a serious violation of international law”, and as such, recalled that “widespread or systematic imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty in violation of the rules of international law may constitute crimes against humanity.” 

While Dr Mohammed Al Khoudary was released and reunited with his family on 19 October, Dr Hani Al Khoudary continues to be arbitrarily detained in non-compliance with the Working Group’s findings in Opinion 34/2021.  Ms Dijkstal continues to act as international counsel for the Al Khoudarys before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.