Saudi Interior Ministry accused of torture

A Saudi civil rights group has called on King Abdullah to launch an investigation into alleged abuses the Interior Ministry committed under the guise of “fighting terrorism.”

In an open letter to the King, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Activists accused the ministry of torturing prisoners, saying that the practice was now in use on a larger scale, Reuters reported.

“[We call for] establishing a fact-finding committee in order to protect political rights against potential abuses under the pretext of fighting terror, maintaining security, and defending Islamic faith,” read the letter.

“The Interior Ministry [has] insisted on tarnishing the reputations of activists who … [reject] oppression and injustice because they called for political reform,” the group said.

The group also criticized the lack of reforms and restrictions on freedom of expression, which has provoked violence and extremism in the country.

“Those who impede reform [have a role] in the production … of violence, because the violent campaign did not begin [until] means of peaceful expression were stifled,” the rights group said.

The monarchy prohibits all political parties, unsanctioned private associations and NGOs.

Pro-democracy activists in the kingdom often face arrest and detention without a charge or trial, according to activists.

They say the Interior Ministry arrested thousands of people on charges of terror activities. Many of the detainees are believed merely to be activists demanding reforms, according to critics.

Activists have circulated petitions and called for fair trials for activists, who remain in jail without trial.