The Arabic Network Calls on the Saudi Authorities to Annul the Decision to Expel Egyptian Resident A

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information(ANHRI) stated today that: “The decision of the Saudi authorities to expel Abdullah Al Khyat – an Egyptian who has been a national resident of Saudi Arabia for 44 years – for his writings in newspapers and on the internet is a blatant violation of freedom of opinion and expression and risks the displacement of his entire family, many of whom have been studying in Saudi universities and schools for years.

 

Al-Sheikh Abdullah Al-Khyat, one of the first Egyptian residents of Saudi Arabia and who has been a resident since 1966, went to renew his residence permit on July 21st in “Al Madina Al Munora” and was shocked when Saudi authorities refused to renew his residence permit and informed him of their decision to expel him within a week. The Saudi authorities provided no reasons for their decision, did not consider his application for renewal, nor did they conduct an investigation to inquire whether or ot he had broken any law, thus leaving the reason for expulsion to be “Expulsion-Politics.”

 

Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Khyat’s activities only amount to writings about his concerns and opinions about Egypt and do not include any Saudi related matters. The authorities issued an unfair and unjust decision as punishment for the articles and subjects he addresses, even though the writings do not constitute any breach of Saudi or Egyptian law.

 

” The Expulsion of Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Khyat for his newspaper and internet writings, despite him being a legal resident for 44 years, does not only constitute a violation of freedom of opinion and expression but also reveals much about the suffering and pressure that the foreign nationals suffer from in Saudi Arabia, a state that could extend punishment for expressing their opinions even if the opinions are not related to the Saudi Kingdom. It is an unfair an unjust decision and threatens the future of an entire family.” said Gamal Eid the executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information.

 

The network had called on the Saudi authorities to revise this decision or cancel it, considering the future of the family of Al Sheikh Al Khyat, his children and his grandchildren who study in Saudi schools and universities and also considering that bringing this decision into force will strengthen the hostility of the Saudi government toward freedom of opinion and expression.