2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests

Arab Spring protests in Saudi Arabia June 2025June 2025 The protests in Saudi Arabia were part of the Arab Spring that started with the 2011 Tunisian revolution. Protests started with a self-immolation in Samtah and Jeddah street protests in late January 2011. Protests against anti-Shia discrimination followed in February and early March in Qatif, Hofuf, al-Awamiyah, and Riyadh. A Facebook organiser of a planned 11 March "Day of Rage", Faisal Ahmed Abdul-Ahad, was allegedly killed by Saudi security forces on 2 March, with several hundred people protesting in Qatif, Hofuf and al-Amawiyah on the day itself. Khaled al-Johani demonstrated alone in Riyadh, was interviewed by BBC Arabic Television, was detained in ʽUlaysha Prison, and became known online as "the only brave man in Saudi Arabia". Many protests over human rights took place in April 2011 in front of government ministry buildings in Riyadh, Ta'if and Tabuk and in January 2012 in Riyadh. In 2011, Nimr al-Nimr encouraged his supporters in nonviolent resistance.Cowburn Ashley Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr profile: A 'holy warrior' who called for elections in Saudi Arabia https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sheikh-nimr-al-nimr-executed-a-holy-warrior-who-called-for-elections-in-the-saudi-kingdom-a6793656.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sheikh-nimr-al-nimr-executed-a-holy-warrior-who-called-for-elections-in-the-saudi-kingdom-a6793656.html 1 May 2022 subscription live 3 May 2017 The Independent 2 January 2016 Anti-government protests demanding release of prisoners held without charge or trial continued in April and May 2011 in Qatif, al-Awamiyah and Hofuf in the Eastern Province, and extended to calls for the Peninsula Shield Force to be withdrawn from Bahrain and for the Eastern Province to have a constitution and a legislature. Four protesters were shot dead by Saudi authorities in late November in Qatif region protests and funerals, two on 2012 January 13 and two on 9 and 10 February 2012. In the early 2012 demonstrations, protesters chanted slogans against the House of Saud and Minister of Interior, Nayef, calling Nayef a "terrorist", "criminal" and "butcher" and throwing an effigy of Nayef at tanks. Police described two of the fatal shootings as responses to unidentified gunmen who had shot first. Eastern Province protests intensified after Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was wounded in the leg and arrested by police on 8 July. Four men were killed in a protest immediately following the arrest, with several funerals and protests following, including calls for the downfall of the House of Saud. While detained, al-Nimr was tortured and started a hunger strike, he was later executed in the 2016 mass execution.January 2026 Protest organisers insisted on the use of nonviolent resistance and called for all Shia and Sunni detainees to be freed. A protester and a soldier were fatally shot in Qatif during a 3–4 August protest, leading to more protests. Protests and sit-ins calling for political prisoners to be released spread beyond the Eastern Province to protests at the Ministry of Interior in Riyadh on 20 March and in Riyadh and Buraidah in December 2011, and in July and August 2012 near al-Ha'ir Prison. Women organised a Facebook women's suffrage campaign called "Baladi", stating that Saudi Arabian law gives women electoral rights. In April 2011, women in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam tried to register as electors for the 29 September municipal elections despite officials stating that women could not participate. In May and June, Manal al-Sharif and other women organised a women's right-to-drive campaign, with the main action to take place on 17 June. In late September, Shaima Jastania was sentenced to 10 lashes for driving in Jeddah, shortly after King Abdullah announced women's participation in the 2015 municipal elections and eligibility as Consultative Assembly members; King Abdullah overturned the sentence. Al-Sharif and Samar Badawi filed lawsuits against Saudi authorities in the Grievances Board, a non-Sharia court, because of the rejection of their driving licence applications. Women university students protested in King Khalid University (KKU) in Abha in March 2012 and were attacked by security forces, leading to one death. Other university protests followed in Taibah University in Medina and Tabuk University in March and April. KKU students called for the university president to be dismissed. He was replaced on 1 July 2012. Protests timeline Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests January–April 2011 Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests (January–April 2011) Protests started with a 65-year-old man's self-immolation in Samtah, Jizan on 21 January and protests of a few hundred people in late January in Jeddah, triggered by flooding, and several times throughout February and early March in the cities of Qatif, al-Awamiyah, Riyadh, and Hofuf. A "Day of Rage" was planned for 11 March. One of the main organisers, Faisal Ahmed Abdul-Ahad (or Abdul-Ahadwas), was alleged to have been killed by Saudi security forces on 2 March, by which time one of the Facebook groups discussing the plans had over 26,000 members. On 11 March, several hundred people protested in Qatif, Hofuf and al-Amawiyah. Khaled al-Johani demonstrated in Riyadh despite a massive police presence, was interviewed by BBC Arabic Television, and has since then been detained in 'Ulaysha Prison. Al-Johani became known online as "the only brave man in Saudi Arabia". The Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) and the Saudi organisation Human Rights First Society called for ACPRA co-founder Mohammed Saleh Albejadi to be released following his arbitrary arrest in Buraidah on 21 March by Mabahith, the internal security agency. In April, several small protests over labour rights took place in front of government ministry buildings in Riyadh, Ta'if and Tabuk. Protests, made up mainly of Shia protesters, continued in late March and April in Qatif and smaller cities in the Eastern Province such as al-Awamiyah, and Hofuf. The protesters called for the release of prisoners, for the Peninsula Shield Force to be withdrawn from Bahrain, for equal representation in key offices and for reforms in political positions, as they feel marginalised. In response to the 22–23 March announcement of men-only municipal elections in late September 2011 to elect half the members of local councils, women organised a Facebook women's suffrage campaign called "Baladi", stating that Saudi Arabian law gives women electoral rights. In April, women in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam tried to register as electors for the 22 September municipal elections despite officials stating that women could not participate. May–December 2011 Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests (May–December 2011) thumb|Poster for the Saudi Arabia's women to drive movement, artwork by Carlos Latuff. In May and June, motivated by the Arab Spring, Manal al-Sharif and other women organised a women's right-to-drive campaign, with the main action to take place on 17 June. Al-Sharif drove a car in May and was detained on 22 May and from 23‒30 May. Other women also drove cars, including actress Wajnat Rahbini, who was arrested after driving in Jeddah on 4 June and released a day later. From 17 June to late June, about seventy cases of women driving were documented. In late September, Shaima Jastania was sentenced to 10 lashes for driving in Jeddah, shortly after King Abdullah announced women's participation in the 2015 municipal elections and eligibility as Consultative Assembly members. King Abdullah cancelled the sentence. From 17 June to late June, more than seventy cases of women driving were documented. In October protests, police shot live ammunition at protesters. The protesters called for Eastern Province to have its own constitution and legislative assembly, and for their association Society for Development and Change to be legally registered. In late November, Nasser al-Mheishi, Ali al-Felfel, Munib al-Sayyed al-'Adnan and Ali Abdullah al-Qarairis were shot dead by security forces in the Qatif region in successive protests and funerals. Hundreds of people protested in Riyadh and Buraidah in December, calling for the release or trial of prisoners. January–June 2012 Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests (January–June 2012) thumb|Women's rights activist Manal al-Sharif, one of the organisers of the women's right-to-drive campaign A protest for labour rights took place in Riyadh on 14 January and a sit-in calling for the Syrian Ambassador to be expelled occurred on 5 February in Jeddah. Protests in the Qatif region continued from January to May, with security forces arresting medical personnel. Security forces shot dead Issam Mohamed Abu Abdallah in al-Awamiyah on 12 or 13 January, and Munir al-Midani and Zuhair al-Said on 9 and 10 February. In the 70,000 strong funeral for Abdallah on 16 January in al-Awamiyah and the daily Qatif region protests that followed, protesters chanted slogans against the House of Saud and Minister of Interior, Nayef, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. In mid-February, two medical personnel were arrested for having clandestinely treated injured protesters. In a 10 February protest and a 13 February funeral, an effigy of Nayef was thrown at tanks and participants described Nayef as a "terrorist", "criminal" and "butcher". Police described two of the fatal shootings as responses to unidentified gunmen who had shot first. Dawoud al-Marhoon and Abdullah Hasan al-Zaher were arrested on 22 May and 3 March 2012, when they were aged 17 and 16 respectively, for participated in the 2011–12 Saudi Arabian protests. Originally, in March 2012, Al Marhoon was questioned by Saudi police and asked to be an informant and report details about his fellow protesters. After he refused, Saudi security forces arrested him from the Dammam Central Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for an eye injury sustained in a traffic accident. Saudi forces surrounded the hospital and arrested him as he prepared for surgery. He was arrested on 22 May 2012, and have been tortured and forced to "confess". Then sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court in September 2015, and 2015 09 23 y, awaited ratification of his sentence by King Salman of Saudi Arabia, to be carried out by beheading and crucifixion (in that order).Case Study: Dawoud Al Marhoon http://www.reprieve.org.uk/case-study/dawood-al-marhoon/ Reprieve 3 May 2017 16 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200916111708/https://reprieve.org.uk/case-study/dawood-al-marhoon/ liveSaudi Arabia: Fears grow that three young activists could soon be executed https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/saudi-arabia-three-young-activists-could-soon-be-executed/ 3 May 2017 Amnesty International 16 October 2015 23 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201023215804/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/saudi-arabia-three-young-activists-could-soon-be-executed/ livePaul Katie McDowall Angus Saudi Arabia to execute more than 50 convicted of terrorism, local media say http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-arabia-to-execute-more-than-50-convicted-of-terrorism-local-media-say-20151126-gl9a8q.html 3 May 2017 The Sydney Morning Herald 19 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171019225602/http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-arabia-to-execute-more-than-50-convicted-of-terrorism-local-media-say-20151126-gl9a8q.html live Manal al-Sharif and Samar Badawi, active in the women to drive movement, announced that they had filed lawsuits against Saudi authorities in the Grievances Board, a non-Sharia court, because of the rejection of their driving licence applications. As of the end of June 2012, 100 Saudi women had started driving regularly since the June 2011 campaign launch. Women university students protested in King Khalid University in Abha in March and were attacked by security forces, leading to one death. Other university protests followed in Taibah University in Medina and Tabuk University in March and April. July–August 2012 Timeline of the 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests (from July 2012) In July 2012, Amnesty International protested in the United Nations Human Rights Council against legal persecution of Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) leaders. Ten female activists were detained in a Buraidah 14 July protest calling for political prisoners to be freed. Similar protests calling for prisoners to be freed and protesting against the Saudi government occurred in Buraidah on 23 July and in front of the Ministry of Interior near al-Ha'ir Prison and in Dammam in August. In July and August 2012, protests in the Qatif region intensified after Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was wounded in the leg and arrested by police on 8 July. Three men were killed in a protest on the evening of the arrest. Funerals and protests took place on 10 July, including chants calling for the downfall of the House of Saud. While detained, al-Nimr was tortured, had bruises on his face and broken teeth, and started a hunger strike.January 2026 Protest organisers in al-Awamiyah stated their support for al-Nimr and insisted on the use of nonviolent resistance. Protester Mohamed al-Shakhouri was shot in the back and neck and arrested in a 26–27 July protest calling for al-Nimr's release. Further protests called for all Shia and Sunni detainees to be freed. A protester and a soldier were fatally shot in Qatif during a 3–4 August evening human rights protest, leading to several more protests. Aftermath 2014 Qatif protests Qatif conflict 2017–2019 Qatif unrest In early 2014, conflict between protesters and the security forces continued, with Qatif being "a militarised zone, surrounded by checkpoints and armoured vehicles". A Saudi journalist who had been documenting the protests for two years for the BBC left Saudi Arabia as she judged the situation "too risky for [her] to continue investigating". Nimr al-Nimr was sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court on 15 October 2014 for "seeking 'foreign meddling' in [Saudi Arabia], 'disobeying' its rulers and taking up arms against the security forces". His brother, Mohammad al-Nimr, was arrested on the same day for tweeting information about the death sentence.Saudi Arabia: Appalling death sentence against Shi'a cleric must be quashed Amnesty International 15 October 2014 https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-appalling-death-sentence-against-shi-cleric-must-be-quashed-2014-10-15 2014-10-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20141017235401/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-appalling-death-sentence-against-shi-cleric-must-be-quashed-2014-10-15 17 October 2014 live Al-Nimr was executed on or shortly before 2 January 2016, along with 46 others in a mass execution.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/saudi-announces-execution-47-terrorists-160102072458873.html Saudi announces execution of 47 'terrorists' Al Jazeera 2 January 2016 6 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160106020507/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/saudi-announces-execution-47-terrorists-160102072458873.html live His execution was condemned by Iran and Shiites throughout the Middle East, as well as by Western figures and Sunnis opposed to sectarianism. The Saudi government said the body would not be handed over to the family.http://en.mehrnews.com/news/113310/Saudi-govt-secretly-buries-Sheikh-Nimr-s-body Saudi govt. secretly buries Sheikh Nimr's body 3 January 2016 Mehr News Agency 3 May 2017 21 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191221090950/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/113310/Saudi-govt-secretly-buries-Sheikh-Nimr-s-body live In March 2017, after a long campaign of harassment, the Saudi security forces killed two members of Nimr family during a raid on a farm in eastern Saudi Arabia. Miqdad and Mohammad Al-Nimr were killed at a farm in Awamiyah, the Nimr family hometown. https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-forces-kill-two-relatives-slain-shia-sheikh-nimr-al-nimr/ Saudi forces kill two relatives of slain Shia Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr 28 March 2017 3 May 2017 23 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201023215903/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-forces-kill-two-relatives-slain-shia-sheikh-nimr-al-nimr/ al-Nimr was very critical of the Saudi Arabian government,June 2023 and called for free elections in Saudi Arabia.Saudi execution of Shia cleric sparks outrage in Middle East https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east The Guardian 2 January 2016 3 May 2017 8 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160108162024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east live Protests in the Qatif region continued during 2017–19, with deaths of protestors and security forces. Casualties Deaths + ProtesterDeathsNotable deaths (protesters) Name Age From Date of death Cause of death Faisal Ahmed Abdul-Ahad (or Abdul-Ahadwas)(Administrator of Facebook group calling for 11 March "Day of Rage", according to DPA) 27 Riyadh Before 2 March 2011 Shot by the Saudi security forces, who removed his body to "hide evidence of the crime". Nasser al-Mheishi (or Nasir al-Muhaishi) 19 Al-Shweika 20 November 2011 Shot by the police during a protest. Ali al-Felfel 24 Al-Shweikahttp://www.rasid.com/english/index.php?act=artc&id=375&hl=ali%20alfelfel https://web.archive.org/web/20130221210329/http://www.rasid.com/english/index.php?act=artc&id=375&hl=ali%20alfelfel 21 February 2013 Saudi forces crackdown protests in Qatif and kill a protester – Rasid News Network Rasid.com 20 October 2012 21 November 2011 Shot in the chest by police during a funeral for Nasser al-Mheishi. Munib al-Sayyed al-Adnan 20 Al-Shweika 23 November 2011 Shot in the head by police during protest over al-Mheishi and al-Felfel killings. Ali Abdullah al-Qarayrees 26 Al-Awamiyahhttp://mole.my/content/two-more-killed-shiite-protest-saudi-arabia Two more killed in Shiite protest in Saudi Arabia MOLE.my 24 November 2011 20 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121005144952/http://www.mole.my/content/two-more-killed-shiite-protest-saudi-arabia 5 October 2012 23 November 2011 Shot by police during protest over al-Mheishi and al-Felfel killings. Issam Mohamed Abu Abdallah 22 Al-Awamiyah 12 January 2012 Shot by security forces during protest. Montazar Sa'eed al-AbdelJune 2021 Al-AwamiyahJune 2021 26 January 2012 Shot by security forces during protest.June 2021 Muneer al-Midani 21 Al-Shweika 9 February 2012 Shot in the heart by security forces during protest. Zuhair al-Said (or Zaheer Abdullah Saeed) 21 Al-Awamiyah 10 February 2012 Shot in the stomach by security forces during protest, died in hospital. Hajer al-YazidiAbhaJune 2021 7 March 2012 Epileptic student injured in head during protest, died of head wound.June 2021 Akbar Hassan al-Shakhouri 31 Al-Awamiyah 8 July 2012 Shot by security forces during protest over the arrest of Nimr al-Nimr. Mohamed Redha al-Felfel 18 Al-Awamiyah 8 July 2012 Shot by security forces during protest over the arrest of Nimr al-Nimr. Abdallah Jaafar al-Ojami 18 Al-AwamiyahJune 2021 13 July 2012 Shot by security forces near a police station during protest.June 2021 Hussain Yusuf al-QallafJune 2021 18 Tarout Island 4 August 2012 Shot in the chest by security forces during protest on 3 August, died of injuries on 4 August.June 2021 Khaled Abdulkarim al-Labadhttp://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABRE88Q05920120927 Two killed as Saudi security forces try to arrest Shi'ite man Reuters 27 September 2012 20 October 2012 4 July 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130704181325/http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABRE88Q05920120927 dead 26http://riyadhbureau.com/2012/10/qatif-unrest Riyadh Bureau – Deaths Fuel Protest Movement in Restive Qatif Riyadh Bureau Riyadhbureau.com 20 October 2012 https://archive.today/20130201100153/http://riyadhbureau.com/2012/10/qatif-unrest 1 February 2013 Al-AwamiyahJune 2021 26 September 2012 Shot in the head by security forces while authorities were trying to arrest him, he was one of 23 opposition activist accused of organising protests in Qatif.http://awam203.homeip.net/index.php/permalink/5165.html العوامية على الشبكة – السلطات تعتقل خالد اللباد بعد إصابته بطلقات نارية بليغة وأنباء عن حالة استشهاد Awam203.homeip.net 26 September 2012 20 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131016100334/http://awam203.homeip.net/index.php/permalink/5165.html 16 October 2013 Mohammed Habib al-Mnasifhttps://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/meast/saudi-arabia-clashes-fatalities/index.html Two killed in clash with Saudi security forces CNN 20 October 2012 27 September 2012 23 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191223020434/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/meast/saudi-arabia-clashes-fatalities/index.html live 16 Al-AwamiyahJune 2021 26 September 2012 Shot by security forces while authorities were trying to arrest Khaled Abdulkarim al-Labad. Hassan Mohammad ZaheriJune 2021 16http://www.rasid.com/artc.php?id=50788 شبكة راصد الإخبارية Rasid.com 20 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121127052148/http://www.rasid.com/artc.php?id=50788 27 November 2012 Al-Awamiyah 28 September 2012 Shot by security forces while authorities were trying to arrest Khaled Abdulkarim al-Labad on 26 September, died of injuries on 28 September. Ahmad al-Matarhttp://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/01/peaceful-protestor-killed-in-saudi-arabia.html Questions Over Death of Protester in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province Al-Monitor 24 January 2013 30 March 2013 21 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191221193234/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/01/peaceful-protestor-killed-in-saudi-arabia.html live 18http://www.saudishia.com/?act=artc&id=355 Another Young Man Shot Dead in Qatif – Saudi Shia https://web.archive.org/web/20130728230452/http://www.saudishia.com/?act=artc&id=355 28 July 2013 Tarout Island 28 December 2012 Shot by security forces during protest over the detention of prisoners. Ali Hassan al-MahroosJune 2021 19https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-shiite-idUSBRE95L0AN20130622 Reuters Shi'ite man shot dead in Saudi Arabia 22 June 2013 5 July 2021 18 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210518153149/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-shiite-idUSBRE95L0AN20130622 live QatifJune 2021 21 June 2013 Shot in his car by a stray bullet by police when they fired at another person on a motorbike. + SecurityDeathsNotable deaths (security forces) Name Age From Date of death Cause of death Hussein Bawah Ali Zabani 20 or 21 Al-Malha 4 August 2012 Shot by "rioters on a motorbike" in Qatif according to Ministry of Interior spokesperson Mansour al-Turki. Others On 21 January 2011, an unidentified 65-year-old man died after setting himself on fire in the town of Samtah, Jizan. This was apparently the kingdom's first known case of self-immolation.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 Man dies after setting himself on fire in Saudi Arabia BBC 23 January 2011 20 October 2012 23 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110123045813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 live On 10 September 2012, a Bangladeshi man was shot dead in the Al-Awamiyah district of eastern Saudi Arabia. Saudi police said that the Bangladeshi man was driving when his car was hit by bullets fired at two security patrol cars. However, an activist in Al-Awamiyah gave a different account of the incident, saying the man had been killed by gunfire when security forces stormed a house while trying to arrest one of the 23 wanted activist for organising protest in Qatif.http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Bangladeshi_man_shot_dead_in_Shiite_area_of_Saudi_Arabia.html?cid=33494664 Bangladeshi man shot dead in Shi'ite area of Saudi Arabia- swissinfo Swissinfo.ch 11 September 2012 20 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024223136/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Bangladeshi_man_shot_dead_in_Shiite_area_of_Saudi_Arabia.html?cid=33494664 24 October 2012 Response Domestic On 10 February 2011, a Reuters report claimed that 10 intellectuals, human rights activists and lawyers came together to create the Umma Islamic Party – considered to be the first political party in Saudi Arabia since the 1990s – to demand the end of absolute monarchy in the country. On 18 February however, all ten members of the party were arrested and ordered to withdraw demands for political reform in exchange for their release. On 23 February, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, after returning to the country following three months spent abroad for health treatment, announced a series of benefits for citizens amounting to $10.7 billion. These include funding to offset high inflation and to aid young unemployed people and Saudi citizens studying abroad, as well as writing off some loans. State employees' incomes were increased by 15 per cent and new housing loans subsidies were introduced. No political reforms were announced as part of the package, though the 86-year-old monarch did pardon some prisoners indicted in financial crimes.Saudi king announces new benefits http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011223105328424268.html Al Jazeera 23 February 2011 23 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110224181607/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011223105328424268.html 24 February 2011 live On 6 March, the Saudi Arabian Council of Senior Scholars, headed by Grand Mufti Abd al-'Aziz al-Ashaikh, issued a fatwā (religious opinion) opposing petitions and demonstrations, declaring, "Therefore the council hereby reaffirms that only the reform and [counsel] that has its legitimacy is that which may bring welfare and avert the evil, whereas it is illegal to issue statements and take signatures for the purposes of intimidation and inciting the strife. ... reform should not be by demonstrations and other means and methods that give rise to unrest and divide the community. ... The Council affirms prohibition of the demonstrations in this country and [that] the legal method which realizes the welfare without causing destruction rests on the mutual advice."Council of Senior Scholars of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia A fatwa from the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia warning against mass demonstrations Islamopediaonline 6 March 2011 http://islamopediaonline.org/fatwa/fatwa-council-senior-scholars-kingdom-saudi-arabia-warning-against-mass-demonstrations 2 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110418033133/http://www.islamopediaonline.org/fatwa/fatwa-council-senior-scholars-kingdom-saudi-arabia-warning-against-mass-demonstrations 18 April 2011 Saudi Arabia prints 1.5m copies of religious edict banning protests 29 March 2011 The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/29/saudi-arabia-edict-banning-protests 2 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110402055953/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/29/saudi-arabia-edict-banning-protests 2 April 2011 live The fatwa included a "severe threat against internal dissent", stating, "[The Prophet] again said: 'He who wanted separate affairs of this nation who are unified, you should kill him with sword whoever he is' (narrated by Muslim)." In late March, Abd al-'Aziz al-Ashaikh called for a million copies of the fatwa to be printed and distributed. On 22–23 March 2011, officials of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural affairs announced that men-only municipal elections to elect half the members of local councils would be held in September 2011. Associated Press described the election announcement as having "coincided with rumblings of dissent in Saudi Arabia stemming from the wave of political unrest in the Arab world".Saudi Arabia to hold elections next month after year and a half delay 22 March 2011 The Star Associated Press https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/958117--saudi-arabia-to-hold-elections-next-month-after-year-and-a-half-delay 22 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111008084230/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/958117--saudi-arabia-to-hold-elections-next-month-after-year-and-a-half-delay 8 October 2011 live Arrests and other repression About 30 to 50 people were arrested following 29 January Jeddah demonstration. On 18 February, the ten founding members of the Umma Islamic Party were arrested and ordered to withdraw demands for political reform in exchange for their release. According to a Deutsche Presse-Agentur report on 2 March, Saudi activists have alleged that one of the main administrators of one of the Facebook groups calling for a "Day of Rage" on 11 March, Faisal Ahmed Abdul-Ahad (or Abdul-Ahadwas), was killed by Saudi security forces, who removed his body to "hide evidence of the crime". On 5 March, thousands of security forces were sent to the north-east, causing delays on the road to Dammam.Robert Fisk Saudis mobilise thousands of troops to quell growing revolt 5 March 2011 The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-mobilise-thousands-of-troops-to-quell-growing-revolt-2232928.html 3 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110306080218/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-mobilise-thousands-of-troops-to-quell-growing-revolt-2232928.html 6 March 2011 live On the same day, following about two weeks of small protests in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of the Interior warned that the "ban [on] all sorts of demonstrations, marches, sit-ins" imposed by Saudi law would be enforced.Ulf Laessing Matthew Jones Saudi Arabia says won't tolerate protests 5 March 2011 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72419N20110305 3 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120210161107/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/05/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72419N20110305?sp=true 10 February 2012 live On 9 March, Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal stated that the government would not tolerate any street protests against it, while also saying that the "best way to achieve demands is through national dialogue".Thousands stage rally in Bahrain Al Jazeera http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113917595654981.html 9 March 2011 9 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310104859/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113917595654981.html 10 March 2011 live On 21 March, Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) co-founder Mohammed Saleh Albejadi (also Al-Bjady) was arrested in Buraidah by Mabahith, the internal security agency. ACPRA stated that the arrest was arbitrary, in violation of the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia and the Law of Criminal Procedures.ACPRA demands the immediate unconditional release of its co-founder, Mohammed Al-Bjady Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association March 2011 http://www.acpra.net/news.php?action=list&cat_id=12 24 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110314210519/http://www.acpra.net/news.php?action=list&cat_id=12 14 March 2011 Human Rights First Society – Human Rights Monitoring and Advocacy in Saudi Arabia Human Rights First Society March 2011 http://hrfssaudiarabia.org/ 24 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110302192030/http://hrfssaudiarabia.org/ 2 March 2011 live Both the ACPRA and Human Rights First Society called for his immediate, unconditional release. On 27 March 2011, Human Rights Watch estimated that the "scale of arrests [rose] dramatically during the preceding two weeks", up to about 160 protesters and critics being held without charge. In early January 2012, Saudi authorities published the names of a list of 23 people who were allegedly involved in the October 2011 Awamiyah/Qatif protests, calling for their arrests. Ministry of Interior spokesman Mansour al-Turki alleged that the protesters "were working according to a foreign agenda" and were "sponsored financially or supplied with weapons and were working as part of an organization". Shah Ali al-Shokan (or Shaukan) from Tarout Island, one of the 23, was arrested by Mabahith on 2 January 2012. Hussain Ali Abdullah al-Baraki, Mosa Ja'far Mohammad al-Mabyouq, and two others among the 23 were also arrested on 2 January. The Ministry of Interior claimed that al-Shokan, al-Baraki and al-Mabyouq had turned themselves in voluntarily. On 10 January, Aqeel al-Yaseen was wounded in al-Awamiyah by security forces, arrested and transferred to a Mabahith facility in Dammam, and forbidden family visits. Censorship In mid-March 2011, Reuters chief correspondent in Saudi Arabia, Ulf Laessing, who had reported from Riyadh since 2009, had his journalistic accreditation withdrawn because of his reporting on the early 2011 Saudi Arabian protests, effectively forcing him to leave Saudi Arabia.Ulf Laessing Crispian Balmer Witness – Searching for reforms in King Abdullah's Saudi Arabia 24 March 2011 Reuters https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE72N39E20110324 31 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120725212919/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE72N39E20110324?sp=true 25 July 2012 Execution of Nimr al-Nimr One of the subsequent responses of the Saudi government was the arrest, conviction and subsequent execution of Nimr al-Nimr on 2 January 2016.http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/03/middleeast/saudi-arabia-executes-dozens-terror/index.html Saudi Arabia severs ties with Iran as protests rage Ben Brumfield Yousuf Basil Catherine E. Shoichet CNN 5 September 2016 30 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201030153130/https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/03/middleeast/saudi-arabia-executes-dozens-terror/index.html live International Governments Russia – On 12 July 2012, K.K. Dolgov, human rights representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed "great concern" about the July events in the Eastern Province. He stated, "We expect that the authorities of the Kingdom will undertake all necessary measures to settle the situation in its eastern regions, to avoid conflict, including confrontation on interconfessional basis, and to ensure the observance of conventional human rights, including the right for freedom of expression of opinion, peaceful demonstrations and freedom of associations, as it is prescribed by the law." United States – On 8 March 2012, the United States Department of State awarded Samar Badawi the 2012 International Women of Courage Award, citing her filing of a lawsuit for women's voting rights in the September 2011 Saudi Arabian municipal elections and her encouragement of other women by the launching of an online campaign. Street protests Australia – On 19 July 2012, 50 people protested in front of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Canberra against the arrests of the Bahraini uprising, against "the crackdown happening in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia", and "to support the people seeking freedom of speech, seeking human rights, freedom for women". Canada – On 21 July 2012, 30 people protested in front of the United States (US) consulate in Toronto against US support of the Saudi Arabian government. A protest organiser claimed that the Saudi government was hypocritical because "Saudi Arabia says [it] support[s] Syria's push for freedom [in the Syrian uprising], but [it] repress[es] [its] own citizens". He called for the release of Nimr al-Nimr. Media Journalist Robert Fisk said that the protests were known as the "Hunayn Revolution," after the Battle of Hunayn fought between Muhammad and the Hawazin. Other On 21 February 2011, oil prices rose in response to the 2011 Libyan civil war and speculation regarding 11 March Saudi Arabian Day of Rage. The Saudi Tadawul stock market index fell to a seven-month low on stability concerns.Hankir Zahra https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/dubai-shares-slump-to-seven-year-low-on-saudi-arabia-concern.html Dubai Stocks Extends Drop on Concern Mideast Unrest May Spread Bloomberg L.P. 3 March 2011 3 April 2011 7 April 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407074441/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/dubai-shares-slump-to-seven-year-low-on-saudi-arabia-concern.html live During the week of 27 February, global stock prices fell as oil prices increased and silver reached a 30-year high price on stability concerns in the region.Regan Michael P. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/asian-stocks-fall-as-oil-surges-on-mideast-silver-rises-to-30-year-high.html U.S. Stocks Rise on Job-Market Strength; Oil Jumps, Dollar Falls Bloomberg L.P. 2 March 2011 3 April 2011 16 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130916034740/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/asian-stocks-fall-as-oil-surges-on-mideast-silver-rises-to-30-year-high.html live Regional stock market indices also fell on concern for Saudi stability. In August 2017, ten Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Desmond Tutu and Lech Wałęsa, urged Saudi Arabia to stop the executions of 14 young people for participating in the 2011–12 Saudi Arabian protests."Nobel laureates urge Saudi king to halt 14 executions". The Washington Post. 11 August 2017. See also Saudi Arabia Politics Human rights in Saudi Arabia Freedom in the World List of freedom indices References Saudi protest ends with arrests 21 March 2011 Al Jazeera http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320112126999266.html 21 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110322034745/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320112126999266.html 22 March 2011 live Dozens detained in Saudi over flood protests 29 January 2011 The Peninsula Qatar Reuters http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html 31 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110302150701/http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html 2 March 2011 https://montrealgazette.com/news/Flood+sparks+rare+action/4189873/story.html Flood sparks rare action 29 January 2011 Montreal Gazette 29 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110201053307/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Flood%2Bsparks%2Brare%2Baction/4189873/story.html 1 February 2011 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 Man dies after setting himself on fire in Saudi Arabia 23 January 2011 BBC News 23 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110123045813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 23 January 2011 live Ammar Awad Protests continue across the Arab world 23 February 2011 Toronto Star Associated Press https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/943434--protests-continue-across-the-arab-world 24 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20121023203805/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/943434--protests-continue-across-the-arab-world 23 October 2012 live Middle East unrest: Saudi and Bahraini kings offer concessions 23 February 2011 The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/23/middle-east-unrest-concessions 24 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110301233216/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/23/middle-east-unrest-concessions 1 March 2011 live Ulf Laessing Pro-reform Saudi activists launch political party 10 February 2011 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-opposition-idUSTRE71942L20110210 11 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110302071540/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/10/us-saudi-opposition-idUSTRE71942L20110210?sp=true 2 March 2011 live https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021802641.html Saudi authorites [sic] detain founders of new party The Washington Post 18 February 2011 19 February 2011 https://archive.today/20110222202646/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021802641.html 22 February 2011 Richard Spencer James Kirkup Nabila Ramdani Libya: Muammar Gaddafi's regime on the brink of collapse 21 February 2011 The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8339435/Libya-Muammar-Gaddafis-regime-on-the-brink-of-collapse.html 22 February 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110224035657/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8339435/Libya-Muammar-Gaddafis-regime-on-the-brink-of-collapse.html 24 February 2011 live Neela Banerjee Saudi Arabia 'day of rage' protest fizzles 11 March 2011 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi-unrest-20110312,0,72557.story 11 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110408061321/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi-unrest-20110312,0,72557.story 8 April 2011 live Los Angeles Times Dana Kennedy Imprisoned Father of Autistic Boy Called 'the Bravest Man in Saudi Arabia' 8 April 2011 AOL News http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/khaled-al-johani-the-bravest-man-in-saudi-arabia 6 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110611163029/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/khaled-al-johani-the-bravest-man-in-saudi-arabia/ 11 June 2011 Michael Buchanan Saudi Arabia: Calls for political reform muted 24 May 2011 BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13507318 6 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110610051531/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13507318 10 June 2011 live Jason Benham Saudi Shi'ites call for Bahrain troop withdrawal 17 March 2011 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72G7JQ20110317 17 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110320044229/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/17/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72G7JQ20110317 20 March 2011 live Asma Alsharif Jason Benham Saudi unemployed graduates protest to demand jobs 10 April 2011 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE73914E20110410 12 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110413071611/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/10/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE73914E20110410 13 April 2011 live Scuffles break out as teachers protest for job stability, higher wages 11 April 2011 Arab News http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article352952.ece 12 April 2011 https://archive.today/20110412195958/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article352952.ece 12 April 2011 live Shia Muslims protest in eastern Saudi Arabia 16 April 2011 International Business Times http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/135126/20110416/saudi-arabia-shias-protest-sunni.htm 17 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110418005734/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/135126/20110416/saudi-arabia-shias-protest-sunni.htm 18 April 2011 live Abdul Nabi Shaheen Saudi women defy ban to register for polls 26 April 2011 Gulf News http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-women-defy-ban-to-register-for-polls-1.799161 25 April 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110429223917/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-women-defy-ban-to-register-for-polls-1.799161 29 April 2011 live Abdullah Al-Shihri Manal al-Sherif, Saudi Woman, Detained For Defying Driving Ban 21 May 2011 HuffPost Associated Press http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/21/manal-al-sherif-saudi-arabia-driving-ban_n_865120.html 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523152848/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/21/manal-al-sherif-saudi-arabia-driving-ban_n_865120.html 23 May 2011 live Catrina Stewart Saudi woman arrested after defying driving ban 23 May 2011 The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-woman-arrested-after-defying-driving-ban-2287817.html 23 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523232139/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-woman-arrested-after-defying-driving-ban-2287817.html 23 May 2011 live Habib Toumi Saudi actress Rahbini took driving lessons from husband 5 June 2011 Gulf News http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-actress-rahbini-took-driving-lessons-from-husband-1.817674 5 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110608235815/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-actress-rahbini-took-driving-lessons-from-husband-1.817674 8 June 2011 Jason Burke Saudi Arabia women test driving ban 17 June 2011 The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/17/saudi-arabia-women-drivers-protest 19 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110620011315/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/17/saudi-arabia-women-drivers-protest 20 June 2011 live Five Saudi women drivers arrested, says activist 29 June 2011 The Guardian Associated Press https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/29/saudi-women-drivers-arrested-jiddah 13 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120220175513/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/29/saudi-women-drivers-arrested-jiddah 20 February 2012 live Muna Khan Highway to Nowhere. Why is it so hard to give the wheel to women? 20 June 2011 Al Arabiya http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/06/19/153953.html 13 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131012213447/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/06/19/153953.html 12 October 2013 live al-Nafjan Eman Eman al-Nafjan Saudi women driving movement 29 June 2011 http://saudiwoman.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/saudi-women-driving-movement/ 13 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120120015115/http://saudiwoman.me/2011/06/29/saudi-women-driving-movement/ 20 January 2012 live Ahmed al-Omran Reports: Saudi King Cancels Lashing Sentence Against Woman Who Drove 29 September 2011 NPR https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/28/140887141/reports-saudi-king-cancels-lashing-sentence-against-woman-driver 13 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120110053827/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/28/140887141/reports-saudi-king-cancels-lashing-sentence-against-woman-driver 10 January 2012 live Kerry A. Dolan Saudi King Revokes Lashing Punishment For Woman Driver 28 September 2011 Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2011/09/28/saudi-king-revokes-lashing-punishment-for-woman-driver/ 13 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120101090927/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2011/09/28/saudi-king-revokes-lashing-punishment-for-woman-driver/ 1 January 2012 live Saudi security forces 'fire on protesters' 22 November 2011 Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/11/20111121195944732930.html 14 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111162245/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/11/20111121195944732930.html 11 January 2012 live Two Shot Dead in Renewed Shiite Protests in Saudi 24 November 2011 CDHRAP Agence France-Presse http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2828&act=show&Sectyp=146 14 January 2012 https://archive.today/20130221090537/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2828&act=show&Sectyp=146 21 February 2013 Hayder al-Khoei Deadly shootings in Saudi Arabia, but Arab media look the other way 28 November 2011 The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/nov/28/deadly-shootings-saudi-arabia-arab-media 14 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120124061853/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/28/deadly-shootings-saudi-arabia-arab-media 24 January 2012 live Protester killed in Saudi eastern Shiite region 22 November 2011 Al-Ahram Agence France-Presse http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/27227/World/Region/Protester-killed-in-Saudi-eastern-Shiite-region.aspx 14 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20111128021143/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/27227/World/Region/Protester-killed-in-Saudi-eastern-Shiite-region.aspx 28 November 2011 live Saudi Arabia: Renewed Protests Defy Ban 30 December 2011 Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/30/saudi-arabia-renewed-protests-defy-ban 7 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120108013013/http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/30/saudi-arabia-renewed-protests-defy-ban 8 January 2012 live MD al-Sulami Walaa Hawari Arrest warrants issued for 23 Qatif rioters 3 January 2012 Arab News http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article557944.ece 7 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120107221520/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article557944.ece 7 January 2012 Angus McDowall Saudi Arabia seeks arrest of 23 Shi'ites for unrest 2 January 2012 Reuters http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-shiites-warrants-idUKTRE8010FP20120102 7 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120112034810/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/01/02/uk-saudi-shiites-warrants-idUKTRE8010FP20120102 12 January 2012 dead Saudi Wahhabi Police Arrested Shi'a Citizen Shah Ali Al Shokan 3 January 2012 Ahlul Bayat News Agency http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=288344 7 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120109171557/http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=288344 9 January 2012 live Saudi Wahhabi Security Forces Arrested 5 Shi'a Citizens 4 January 2012 Ahlul Bayat News Agency http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=288571 7 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120723072538/http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=288571 23 July 2012 live Saudi security forces injured and arrested the Shia citizen Aqeel Al Yaseen 11 January 2012 CDHRAP http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2855&act=show&Sectyp=146 12 January 2012 https://archive.today/20130221075921/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2855&act=show&Sectyp=146 21 February 2013 MPs question Saudi arms contracts 13 January 2012 Evening Standard London http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24027527-mps-question-saudi-arms-contracts.do 13 January 2012 https://archive.today/20130505072301/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24027527-mps-question-saudi-arms-contracts.do 5 May 2013 Saudi forces clash with protesters in Qatif 13 January 2012 Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/2012113143917567124.html 14 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120115031710/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/2012113143917567124.html 15 January 2012 live Shia protester 'shot dead' in Saudi Arabia 13 January 2012 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16543013 14 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120114181640/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16543013 14 January 2012 live Saudi police break up rare Riyadh demo 14 January 2012 Press TV http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=290598 16 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120305055542/http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=290598 5 March 2012 live Thousands people escorted the Shi'a martyr Issam Abu Abdullah CDHRAP 17 January 2012 http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2859&act=show&Sectyp=146 15 January 2012 https://archive.today/20130408094003/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2859&act=show&Sectyp=146 8 April 2013 Shi'a citizens held two peaceful protests in Tarout and Sihat CDHRAP 19 January 2012 http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2861&act=show&Sectyp=146 20 January 2012 https://archive.today/20130112012053/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2861&act=show&Sectyp=146 12 January 2013 al-Tamimi Omar The Hamza I Know Mashallah News 14 February 2012 http://mashallahnews.com/?p=7199 19 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120218021040/http://mashallahnews.com/?p=7199 18 February 2012 live ar:إستشهاد الشاب منير الميداني برصاص القوات السعودية 9 February 2012 Awamia.com http://www.awamia.com/?act=artc&id=16462 9 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120211153807/http://awamia.com/?act=artc&id=16462 11 February 2012 ar Nour Merza Sami Aboudi Myra MacDonald UPDATE 1-Police kill protester in Eastern Saudi Arabia-activists 10 February 2012 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/saudi-protest-idUSL5E8DA8O820120210 10 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120214013159/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/10/saudi-protest-idUSL5E8DA8O820120210 14 February 2012 live New clashes in Saudi Arabia leave 'protester' dead 13 February 2012 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16995286 14 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120213213846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16995286 13 February 2012 live Saudi Wahhabi Security Forces Martyred Two Peaceful Protesters in East + pic 12 February 2012 Ahlul Bayat News Agency http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=296016 14 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120723073657/http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=296016 23 July 2012 live ar:شرق السعودية يشهد حداداً عاماً وموجة غضب اثر استشهاد شابين ar Awamia.com 11 February 2012 http://www.awamia.com/?act=artc&id=16482 14 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120213045301/http://www.awamia.com/?act=artc&id=16482 13 February 2012 Jess Hill The Growing Rebellion in Saudi Arabia 24 February 2012 The Global Mail http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-growing-rebellion-in-saudi-arabia/84/ 26 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120226232126/http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-growing-rebellion-in-saudi-arabia/84/ 26 February 2012 Saudi authorities detained a Syrian doctor works in a governmental clinic 15 February 2012 CDHRAP http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2907&act=show&Sectyp=146 23 January 2012 https://archive.today/20130221063902/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2907&act=show&Sectyp=146 21 February 2013 Saudi women launch legal fight against driving ban The Daily Telegraph Agence France-Presse 6 February 2012 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/saudiarabia/9062995/Saudi-women-launch-legal-fight-against-driving-ban.html 7 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120209033043/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/saudiarabia/9062995/Saudi-women-launch-legal-fight-against-driving-ban.html 9 February 2012 live Metz Helen Chaplin Helen Chapin Metz The Legal System Saudi Arabia: A Country Study 1992 United States Library of Congress http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm 24 February 2012 9 October 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111009005410/http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm live Rashid Abul-Samh Saudi Shias riot yet again for better conditions 13 October 2011 Al-Ahram Weekly http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1068/re9.htm 22 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20111223053606/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1068/re9.htm 23 December 2011 McMahon Felim Wael Abdullah Campus revolt: Saudis demand #KKU regime change Storyful 10 March 2012 http://storyful.com/stories/22210 12 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120312052710/http://storyful.com/stories/22210 12 March 2012 Fifty injured in attack on Saudi student protest: report 7 March 2012 Al Akhbar http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/50-students-hurt-attack-saudi-student-protest-report 8 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120309030425/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/50-students-hurt-attack-saudi-student-protest-report 9 March 2012 Saudi Arabia: Student and citizen die in protests Arab Network for Human Rights Information 13 March 2012 http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=7345 13 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120317044542/http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=7345 17 March 2012 live Female students protest 'poor conditions' at Tabuk University 10 April 2012 Saudi Gazette http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120410121469 11 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130627085226/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120410121469 27 June 2013 Sara Anabtawi Saudi females protest over learning conditions 10 April 2012 Arabian Business http://m.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-females-protest-over-learning-conditions-453408.html 11 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120528200752/http://m.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-females-protest-over-learning-conditions-453408.html 28 May 2012 Donna Abu-Nasr Saudi Women Drive on Anniversary of Campaign to End Ban 29 June 2012 Bloomberg L.P. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-28/saudi-women-urged-to-drive-on-anniversary-of-campaign-to-end-ban.html 13 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120703062430/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-28/saudi-women-urged-to-drive-on-anniversary-of-campaign-to-end-ban.html 3 July 2012 live Saudi protest crackdown leaves two dead 9 July 2012 Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127819561763436.html 10 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120711005424/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127819561763436.html 11 July 2012 live Andrew Hammond Sami Aboudi Ralph Boulton Saudi Arabia says two killed after cleric's arrest 9 May 2012 Reuters https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE8680YJ20120709?sp=true 10 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191723/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE8680YJ20120709?sp=true 22 October 2012 Pictures of Qatif martyrs killed by the Saudi regime including funeral 10 May 2012 Shafaqna http://www.shafaqna.com/english/shafaq/item/4707-painful-pictures-of-qatif-martyrs-killed-by-the-saudi-regime-including-funeral-viewer-discretion-is-advised.html?tmpl=component&print=1 11 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144316/http://www.shafaqna.com/english/shafaq/item/4707-painful-pictures-of-qatif-martyrs-killed-by-the-saudi-regime-including-funeral-viewer-discretion-is-advised.html?tmpl=component&print=1 5 November 2012 Saudi Arabia: Punish human rights violators not human rights defenders: Oral intervention at the UN Human Rights Council 20th Session Amnesty International 3 July 2012 https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/016/2012/en/ 13 July 2012 21 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191221051907/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/016/2012/en/ live Asma Al Sharif Angus McDowall Sami Aboudi Christopher Wilson Saudi police arrest prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric 8 July 2012 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-arrest-idUSBRE8670GH20120708 10 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120711183407/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/08/us-saudi-arrest-idUSBRE8670GH20120708 11 July 2012 live Saudi Shia protesters mourned by 'thousands' 12 July 2012 Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/201271252423623334.html 13 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120714015449/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/201271252423623334.html 14 July 2012 live Saudi protesters hold massive anti-regime rally in Qatif CDHRAP 11 July 2012 http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2996&act=show&Sectyp=146 13 July 2012 https://archive.today/20130221155601/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2996&act=show&Sectyp=146 21 February 2013 Sami Aboudi Asma al-Sharif Ralph Boulton Kevin Liffey Saudi Shi'ites throng funeral of slain protester 11 July 2012 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-funeral-idUSBRE86A0VR20120711 13 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120713181923/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/11/us-saudi-funeral-idUSBRE86A0VR20120711 13 July 2012 live Sami Aboudi Asma al-Sharif Andrew Hammond Ralph Boulton Kevin Liffey Saudi Shi'ites throng funerals of slain protesters 11 July 2012 Reuters https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE86A15020120711?sp=true 13 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191719/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE86A15020120711?sp=true 22 October 2012 Saudi protester killed in latest unrest 14 July 2012 Bikya Masr http://www.bikyamasr.com/72692/saudi-protester-killed-in-latest-unrest 15 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130221231915/http://www.bikyamasr.com/72692/saudi-protester-killed-in-latest-unrest 21 February 2013 ar:بيان : الحراك الرسالي يحث على المشاركة الفاعلة في مسيرة 'كلنا نمور' الليلة Awamia.net ar 26 July 2012 http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4705.html 26 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234845/http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4705.html 28 July 2013 live Saudi police fire on Shiite protest: witnesses 27 July 2012 France 24 Agence France-Presse http://www.france24.com/en/20120727-saudi-police-fire-shiite-protest-witnesses 27 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130325131009/http://www.france24.com/en/20120727-saudi-police-fire-shiite-protest-witnesses 25 March 2013 ar:السلطات تمنع تشييع عقيلة آية الله النمر والآلاف يخرجون في مسيرة غاضبة ar Awamia.net 1 August 2012 http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4764.html 1 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728235204/http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4764.html 28 July 2013 Deaths in clash after Saudi rights protest 4 August 2012 Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/08/20128472859450737.html 4 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120806172714/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/08/20128472859450737.html 6 August 2012 live ar:القطيف: استشهاد الشاب حسين القلاف برصاص القوات السعودية ar Awamia.net 3 August 2012 http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4797.html 4 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234404/http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4797.html 28 July 2013 live Abdul Rahman al-Khatarish Muhammad Makki I'm proud my son died a martyr 6 August 2012 Saudi Gazette http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120806132261 14 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728223404/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120806132261 28 July 2013 Reporting Saudi Arabia's hidden uprising 30 May 2014 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27619309 2014-10-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20150109165250/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27619309 9 January 2015 live Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr 'sentenced to death' 15 October 2014 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29627766 2014-10-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20141015133818/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29627766 15 October 2014 live https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/5/16/saudi-soldier-killed-as-eastern-province-unrest-continues Saudi soldier killed as eastern province unrest continues The New Arab 16 May 2017 6 October 2017 22 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191222041102/https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/5/16/saudi-soldier-killed-as-eastern-province-unrest-continues live http://dunyanews.tv/en/World/388163-Pakistani-worker-Saudi-minor-killed-in-Qatif-terr Pakistani worker, Saudi minor killed in Qatif terror attack Dunya News TV 13 May 2017 6 October 2017 21 May 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170521060516/http://dunyanews.tv/en/World/388163-Pakistani-worker-Saudi-minor-killed-in-Qatif-terr live At least five dead during Saudi security operation in Qatif: activists https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-security-awamiya/at-least-five-dead-during-saudi-security-operation-in-qatif-activists-idUSKBN1AC2NK 5 July 2018 Reuters 21 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191221201329/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-security-awamiya/at-least-five-dead-during-saudi-security-operation-in-qatif-activists-idUSKBN1AC2NK live https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1145356/saudi-state-security-fugitive-killed-security-operation-qatif Saudi State Security: Fugitive Killed in Security Operation in Qatif | Asharq AL-awsat Asharq Al-Awsat 16 January 2018 2018-07-05 5 July 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180705033205/https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1145356/saudi-state-security-fugitive-killed-security-operation-qatif live https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/gcc/saudi-soldier-killed-in-qatif-province-al-arabiya-reports-1.719673 Saudi soldier killed in Qatif province, Al Arabiya reports The National 8 April 2018 22 April 2018 21 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094924/https://www.thenational.ae/world/gcc/saudi-soldier-killed-in-qatif-province-al-arabiya-reports-1.719673 live Saudi Arabia: 2 gunmen killed in predominantly Shiite region 9 April 2019 WTOP-FM/AP https://wtop.com/middle-east/2019/04/saudi-arabia-2-gunmen-killed-in-predominantly-shiite-region/ 24 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190424211359/https://wtop.com/middle-east/2019/04/saudi-arabia-2-gunmen-killed-in-predominantly-shiite-region/ 24 April 2019 live Russia "concerned" by Saudi oppression 15 July 2012 Al Akhbar Reuters http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/russia-concerned-saudi-oppression 15 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120717000941/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/russia-concerned-saudi-oppression 17 July 2012 Dolgov K.K. Comment of K. K. Dolgov, Representative on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law of the MFA of Russia, on situation in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 July 2012 http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/F9DAE72017153B9744257A3A002D1661 15 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728225357/http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/F9DAE72017153B9744257A3A002D1661 28 July 2013 live 2012 International Women of Courage Award Winners US Dept of State 5 February 2012 https://www.state.gov/s/gwi/programs/iwoc/2012/bio/index.htm 9 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120308231128/http://www.state.gov/s/gwi/programs/iwoc/2012/bio/index.htm 8 March 2012 Alex Consiglio Protesters target US Consulate 21 July 2012 Toronto Sun http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/21/protesters-target-us-consulate 23 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130625175839/http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/21/protesters-target-us-consulate 25 June 2013 live Sarah Homewood Pro-democracy protesters at Saudi embassy 20 July 2012 The Canberra Times http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/prodemocracy-protesters-at-saudi-embassy-20120719-22dcu.html 23 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20140530153542/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/prodemocracy-protesters-at-saudi-embassy-20120719-22dcu.html 30 May 2014 live Saudi Arabia's political prisoners: towards a third decade of silence Islamic Human Rights Commission 30 September 2011 http://ihrc.org.uk/attachments/article/9867/Saudi%20Report%20A4-v04.pdf 2 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20111203081209/http://www.ihrc.org.uk/attachments/article/9867/Saudi%20Report%20A4-v04.pdf 3 December 2011 al-Qahtani Mohammad Fahad Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani Mohammad Al-Qahtani Twitter 13 August 2012 https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/235128701795311618 19 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130731054721/https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/235128701795311618 31 July 2013 liveJune 2025 al-Qahtani Mohammad Fahad Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani Mohammad Al-Qahtani Twitter 18 August 2012 https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/236956115831750656 19 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130731040924/https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/236956115831750656 31 July 2013 liveJune 2025 al-Qahtani Mohammad Fahad Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani Mohammad Al-Qahtani Twitter 19 August 2012 https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/237207632191041536 19 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130730193951/https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/237207632191041536 30 July 2013 liveJune 2025 al-Qahtani Mohammad Fahad Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani Mohammad Al-Qahtani Twitter 19 August 2012 https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/237229286447280128 19 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130731051912/https://twitter.com/MFQahtani/status/237229286447280128 31 July 2013 liveJune 2025 ar:الآلاف يزفون الشهيد القلاف إلى مثواه الأخير ar Awamia.net 6 August 2012 http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4820.html 14 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130728234612/http://awamia.net/index.php/permalink/4820.html 28 July 2013 live Further reading Alrabaa Sami 2010 Veiled Atrocities: True Stories of Oppression in Saudi Arabia Amherst, NY Prometheus Books 978-1-61614-159-2 Al-Rasheed Madawi 2007 Contesting the Saudi State: Islamic Voices from a New Generation New York Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-85836-6 Hamzawy Amr The Saudi Labyrinth: Is There a Political Opening? Ottaway Marina Choucair-Vizoso Julia Beyond the Façade: Political Reform in the Arab World Washington, DC Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 2008 187–210 978-0-87003-239-4 registration https://archive.org/details/beyondfacadepoli0000otta/page/187 External links 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests Blog discussing a Facebook page for 11 March protests by Eman Fahad al-Nafjan archive 2011-02-18 c7zgifyiqnA Saudi Arabia's Secret Uprising and on BBC, documentary film, BBC, 2015, by Safa Al Ahmad. Category:2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests Category:2011 in Saudi Arabia Category:2012 in Saudi Arabia Category:Qatif conflict Category:Arab Spring by country Category:2011 protests Category:2012 protests Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia relations Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy war Category:Controversies in Saudi Arabia