Twenty human rights organizations demand Bulgaria cease the deportation of Saudi activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia, advocating for his resettlement in a third country. Al-Khalidi, a recognized human rights defender, has faced rejection of his asylum application and an expulsion order, which raises concerns regarding international human rights obligations and the risks he faces if deported.
A coalition of 20 human rights organizations has urged Bulgarian authorities to halt the deportation of Saudi activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia, advocating for his resettlement in a third country. Al-Khalidi, a dedicated human rights defender and advocate for prisoners’ rights, has been active for over a decade. He fled Saudi Arabia in 2013 due to well-founded fears of persecution and later sought asylum in Bulgaria after criticizing the Saudi regime and participating in the online movement established by journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered in 2018.
In May 2022, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees denied al-Khalidi’s asylum application, rejecting his claims of potential persecution. Al-Khalidi has since appealed this decision twice to Bulgaria’s Supreme Administrative Court. In February 2024, the National Security Agency issued an expulsion order against him, which was affirmed by the Sofia Administrative Court in October 2024. The enforcement of this order, however, awaits the resolution of his ongoing asylum appeals.
Joey Shea, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, cautioned that Bulgaria could infringe upon the principle of nonrefoulement, which prohibits deporting individuals to countries where they face risks of harm. Notably, Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture forbids states from expelling individuals when there are significant grounds to believe they may face torture or inhumane treatment. This principle is reinforced by the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as customary international law. Furthermore, Article 33 of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees explicitly protects refugees from being returned to regions where they may face persecution.
The alarming trend of the Saudi authorities targeting dissenters under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been documented by human rights organizations. Notably, an execution of 81 individuals in March 2022 marked the country’s largest mass execution in decades, despite prior assurances to limit capital punishment practices.
In summary, the situation surrounding Abdulrahman al-Khalidi highlights significant human rights concerns regarding Bulgaria’s treatment of asylum seekers. The call from various rights organizations emphasizes the critical need for Bulgaria to adhere to its international obligations regarding the non-refoulement principle. It reiterates the dangers faced by dissidents in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the necessity for protective asylum measures and plays a critical role in advocating for human rights.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
