2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests#ProtesterDeaths
{{short description|Arab Spring protests in Saudi Arabia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}{{EngvarB|date=April 2013}}{{Infobox 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests}}{{Campaignbox Qatif conflict}}
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.{{cite news|last1=Cowburn|first1=Ashley|title=Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr profile: A 'holy warrior' who called for elections in Saudi Arabia|url=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 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=3 May 2017|work=The Independent|date=2 January 2016}}{{cbignore}}
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in Qatif, al-Awamiyah and Hofuf in the Eastern Province, and extended to calls for the Peninsula Shield Force to be withdrawn from Bahrain and for the Eastern Province to have a constitution and a legislature.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. 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
{{main|Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests}}
=January–April 2011=
{{main|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=
{{main|Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests (May–December 2011)}}
File:New Saudi Arabia's traffic sign (women2drive).gif, 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=
{{main|Timeline of the 2011–2013 Saudi Arabian protests (January–June 2012)}}
File:Manal al-Shraif.jpg activist Manal al-Sharif, one of the organizers 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 {{as of|2015|09|23|lc=y}}, awaited ratification of his sentence by King Salman of Saudi Arabia, to be carried out by beheading and crucifixion (in that order).{{cite web|title=Case Study: Dawoud Al Marhoon|url=http://www.reprieve.org.uk/case-study/dawood-al-marhoon/|website=Reprieve|access-date=3 May 2017|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916111708/https://reprieve.org.uk/case-study/dawood-al-marhoon/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia: Fears grow that three young activists could soon be executed|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/saudi-arabia-three-young-activists-could-soon-be-executed/|access-date=3 May 2017|work=Amnesty International|date=16 October 2015|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023215804/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/saudi-arabia-three-young-activists-could-soon-be-executed/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Paul|first1=Katie|last2=McDowall|first2=Angus|title=Saudi Arabia to execute more than 50 convicted of terrorism, local media say|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-arabia-to-execute-more-than-50-convicted-of-terrorism-local-media-say-20151126-gl9a8q.html|access-date=3 May 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=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|url-status=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=
{{main|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. 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=
{{main|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.{{cite web|title=Saudi Arabia: Appalling death sentence against Shi'a cleric must be quashed|publisher=Amnesty International|date=2014-10-15|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-appalling-death-sentence-against-shi-cleric-must-be-quashed-2014-10-15|access-date=2014-10-15|archive-url=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|archive-date=17 October 2014|url-status=live}} Al-Nimr was executed on or shortly before 2 January 2016, along with 46 others in a mass execution.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/saudi-announces-execution-47-terrorists-160102072458873.html|title=Saudi announces execution of 47 'terrorists'|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106020507/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/saudi-announces-execution-47-terrorists-160102072458873.html|url-status=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.{{cite web|url=http://en.mehrnews.com/news/113310/Saudi-govt-secretly-buries-Sheikh-Nimr-s-body|title=Saudi govt. secretly buries Sheikh Nimr's body|date=3 January 2016|work=Mehr News Agency|access-date=3 May 2017|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221090950/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/113310/Saudi-govt-secretly-buries-Sheikh-Nimr-s-body|url-status=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.{{Cite web|url = https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-forces-kill-two-relatives-slain-shia-sheikh-nimr-al-nimr/|title = Saudi forces kill two relatives of slain Shia Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr|date = 28 March 2017|access-date = 3 May 2017|archive-date = 23 October 2020|archive-url = 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,{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} and called for free elections in Saudi Arabia.{{cite web | title=Saudi execution of Shia cleric sparks outrage in Middle East | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east | work=The Guardian | date=2 January 2016 | access-date=3 May 2017 | archive-date=8 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108162024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/02/saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-sparks-outrage-in-middle-east | url-status=live }}
Protests in the Qatif region continued during 2017–19, with deaths of protestors and security forces.
Casualties
=Deaths=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ {{Anchor|ProtesterDeaths}}Notable 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) | Riyadh | Shot by the Saudi security forces, who removed his body to "hide evidence of the crime". |
| Nasser al-Mheishi (or Nasir al-Muhaishi)
| 20 November 2011 |
| Ali al-Felfel
| Al-Shweika{{cite web|url=http://www.rasid.com/english/index.php?act=artc&id=375&hl=ali%20alfelfel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221210329/http://www.rasid.com/english/index.php?act=artc&id=375&hl=ali%20alfelfel |archive-date=21 February 2013 |title=Saudi forces crackdown protests in Qatif and kill a protester – Rasid News Network |publisher=Rasid.com |access-date=20 October 2012}} | 21 November 2011 | Shot in the chest by police during a funeral for Nasser al-Mheishi. |
| Munib al-Sayyed al-Adnan
| 23 November 2011 | Shot in the head by police during protest over al-Mheishi and al-Felfel killings. |
| Ali Abdullah al-Qarayrees
| Al-Awamiyah{{cite web|url=http://mole.my/content/two-more-killed-shiite-protest-saudi-arabia |title=Two more killed in Shiite protest in Saudi Arabia |publisher=MOLE.my |date=24 November 2011 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005144952/http://www.mole.my/content/two-more-killed-shiite-protest-saudi-arabia |archive-date=5 October 2012 }} | 23 November 2011 | Shot by police during protest over al-Mheishi and al-Felfel killings. |
| Issam Mohamed Abu Abdallah
| 12 January 2012 |
| Montazar Sa'eed al-Abdel{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
| | Al-Awamiyah{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | 26 January 2012 | Shot by security forces during protest.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
| Muneer al-Midani
| 9 February 2012 |
| Zuhair al-Said (or Zaheer Abdullah Saeed)
| 10 February 2012 | Shot in the stomach by security forces during protest, died in hospital. |
| Hajer al-Yazidi
| |Abha{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | 7 March 2012 | Epileptic student injured in head during protest, died of head wound.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
| Akbar Hassan al-Shakhouri
| 8 July 2012 | Shot by security forces during protest over the arrest of Nimr al-Nimr. |
| Mohamed Redha al-Felfel
| 8 July 2012 | Shot by security forces during protest over the arrest of Nimr al-Nimr. |
| Abdallah Jaafar al-Ojami
| Al-Awamiyah{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | 13 July 2012 | Shot by security forces near a police station during protest.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
| Hussain Yusuf al-Qallaf{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
| 4 August 2012 | Shot in the chest by security forces during protest on 3 August, died of injuries on 4 August.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} |
| Khaled Abdulkarim al-Labad{{cite news |url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABRE88Q05920120927 |title=Two killed as Saudi security forces try to arrest Shi'ite man |work=Reuters |date=27 September 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-date=4 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704181325/http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCABRE88Q05920120927 |url-status=dead }}
| Al-Awamiyah{{citation needed|date=June 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.{{cite web |url=http://awam203.homeip.net/index.php/permalink/5165.html |title=العوامية على الشبكة – السلطات تعتقل خالد اللباد بعد إصابته بطلقات نارية بليغة وأنباء عن حالة استشهاد |publisher=Awam203.homeip.net |date=26 September 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016100334/http://awam203.homeip.net/index.php/permalink/5165.html |archive-date=16 October 2013}} |
| Mohammed Habib al-Mnasif{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/meast/saudi-arabia-clashes-fatalities/index.html |title=Two killed in clash with Saudi security forces |publisher=CNN |access-date=20 October 2012 |date=27 September 2012 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223020434/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/meast/saudi-arabia-clashes-fatalities/index.html |url-status=live }}
| Al-Awamiyah{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | 26 September 2012 | Shot by security forces while authorities were trying to arrest Khaled Abdulkarim al-Labad. |
| Hassan Mohammad Zaheri{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
| 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-Matar{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/01/peaceful-protestor-killed-in-saudi-arabia.html|title=Questions Over Death of Protester in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province|date=24 January 2013|access-date=30 March 2013|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221193234/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/01/peaceful-protestor-killed-in-saudi-arabia.html|url-status=live}}
| 28 December 2012 | Shot by security forces during protest over the detention of prisoners. |
| Ali Hassan al-Mahroos{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
| Qatif{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | 21 June 2013 | Shot in his car by a stray bullet by police when they fired at another person on a motorbike. |
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ {{Anchor|SecurityDeaths}}Notable deaths (security forces) |
| Name
! Age ! From ! Date of death ! Cause of death |
|---|
| Hussein Bawah Ali Zabani
| 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 |title=Man dies after setting himself on fire in Saudi Arabia |publisher=BBC |date=23 January 2011 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-date=23 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123045813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 |url-status=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.{{cite web|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Bangladeshi_man_shot_dead_in_Shiite_area_of_Saudi_Arabia.html?cid=33494664 |title=Bangladeshi man shot dead in Shi'ite area of Saudi Arabia- swissinfo |publisher=Swissinfo.ch |date=11 September 2012 |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 percent 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.{{cite news |title=Saudi king announces new benefits |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011223105328424268.html |publisher=Al Jazeera|date=23 February 2011 |access-date=23 February 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110224181607/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011223105328424268.html| archive-date= 24 February 2011 | url-status= 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."{{cite web |last=Council of Senior Scholars of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |title=A fatwa from the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia warning against mass demonstrations |publisher=Islamopediaonline |date=6 March 2011 |url=http://islamopediaonline.org/fatwa/fatwa-council-senior-scholars-kingdom-saudi-arabia-warning-against-mass-demonstrations |access-date=2 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418033133/http://www.islamopediaonline.org/fatwa/fatwa-council-senior-scholars-kingdom-saudi-arabia-warning-against-mass-demonstrations |archive-date=18 April 2011 }}{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia prints 1.5m copies of religious edict banning protests |date=29 March 2011 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/29/saudi-arabia-edict-banning-protests |access-date=2 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402055953/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/29/saudi-arabia-edict-banning-protests |archive-date=2 April 2011 |url-status=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".{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia to hold elections next month after year and a half delay |date=22 March 2011 |work=The Star |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/958117--saudi-arabia-to-hold-elections-next-month-after-year-and-a-half-delay |access-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=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.{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Fisk |title=Saudis mobilise thousands of troops to quell growing revolt |date=5 March 2011 |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-mobilise-thousands-of-troops-to-quell-growing-revolt-2232928.html |access-date=3 March 2011 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=6 March 2011 |url-status=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.{{cite news |first=Ulf |last=Laessing |author2=Matthew Jones |title=Saudi Arabia says won't tolerate protests |date=5 March 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72419N20110305 |access-date=3 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210161107/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/05/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72419N20110305?sp=true |archive-date=10 February 2012 |url-status=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".{{cite news |title=Thousands stage rally in Bahrain |publisher=Al Jazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113917595654981.html|date=9 March 2011 |access-date=9 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110310104859/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113917595654981.html| archive-date= 10 March 2011 | url-status= 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.{{cite web |title=ACPRA demands the immediate unconditional release of its co-founder, Mohammed Al-Bjady |publisher=Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association |date=March 2011 |url=http://www.acpra.net/news.php?action=list&cat_id=12 |access-date=24 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314210519/http://www.acpra.net/news.php?action=list&cat_id=12 |archive-date=14 March 2011 }}
{{cite web |title=Human Rights First Society – Human Rights Monitoring and Advocacy in Saudi Arabia |publisher=Human Rights First Society |date=March 2011 |url=http://hrfssaudiarabia.org/ |access-date=24 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302192030/http://hrfssaudiarabia.org/ |archive-date=2 March 2011 |url-status=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.{{cite news |first=Ulf |last=Laessing |author2=Crispian Balmer |title=Witness – Searching for reforms in King Abdullah's Saudi Arabia |date=24 March 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE72N39E20110324 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725212919/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE72N39E20110324?sp=true |archive-date=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.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/03/middleeast/saudi-arabia-executes-dozens-terror/index.html|title=Saudi Arabia severs ties with Iran as protests rage|author1=Ben Brumfield|author2=Yousuf Basil|author3=Catherine E. Shoichet|publisher=CNN|access-date=5 September 2016|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030153130/https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/03/middleeast/saudi-arabia-executes-dozens-terror/index.html|url-status=live}}
=International=
==Governments==
- {{Flagu|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."
- {{Flagu|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==
- {{Flagu|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".
- {{Flagu|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.{{cite news |last=Hankir |first=Zahra |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/dubai-shares-slump-to-seven-year-low-on-saudi-arabia-concern.html |title=Dubai Stocks Extends Drop on Concern Mideast Unrest May Spread |publisher=Bloomberg |date=3 March 2011 |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=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 |url-status=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.{{cite news |last=Regan |first=Michael P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/asian-stocks-fall-as-oil-surges-on-mideast-silver-rises-to-30-year-high.html |title=U.S. Stocks Rise on Job-Market Strength; Oil Jumps, Dollar Falls |publisher=Bloomberg |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-date=16 September 2013 |archive-url=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 |url-status=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."[https://web.archive.org/web/20170811210806/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nobel-laureates-urge-saudi-king-to-halt-14-executions/2017/08/11/234f43b4-7ec9-11e7-b2b1-aeba62854dfa_story.html Nobel laureates urge Saudi king to halt 14 executions]". The Washington Post. 11 August 2017.
See also
{{Portal bar|Saudi Arabia|Politics}}
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Infobox 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests/refs}}
{{cite news |title=Dozens detained in Saudi over flood protests |date=29 January 2011 |work=The Peninsula |location=Qatar |agency=Reuters |url=http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html |access-date=31 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302150701/http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html |archive-date=2 March 2011 }}
{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/Flood+sparks+rare+action/4189873/story.html |title=Flood sparks rare action |date=29 January 2011 |work=Montreal Gazette |access-date=29 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201053307/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Flood%2Bsparks%2Brare%2Baction/4189873/story.html |archive-date=1 February 2011 }}
{{cite news |first=Ammar |last=Awad |title=Protests continue across the Arab world |date=23 February 2011 |work=Toronto Star |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/943434--protests-continue-across-the-arab-world |access-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023203805/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/943434--protests-continue-across-the-arab-world |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Ulf |last=Laessing |title=Pro-reform Saudi activists launch political party |date=10 February 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-opposition-idUSTRE71942L20110210 |access-date=11 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302071540/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/10/us-saudi-opposition-idUSTRE71942L20110210?sp=true |archive-date=2 March 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Dana |last=Kennedy |title=Imprisoned Father of Autistic Boy Called 'the Bravest Man in Saudi Arabia' |date=8 April 2011 |publisher=AOL News |url=http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/khaled-al-johani-the-bravest-man-in-saudi-arabia |access-date=6 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611163029/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/khaled-al-johani-the-bravest-man-in-saudi-arabia/ |archive-date=11 June 2011 }}
{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Benham |title=Saudi Shi'ites call for Bahrain troop withdrawal |date=17 March 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72G7JQ20110317 |access-date=17 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320044229/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/17/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72G7JQ20110317 |archive-date=20 March 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Asma |last=Alsharif |author2=Jason Benham |title=Saudi unemployed graduates protest to demand jobs |date=10 April 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE73914E20110410 |access-date=12 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413071611/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/10/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE73914E20110410 |archive-date=13 April 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Scuffles break out as teachers protest for job stability, higher wages |date=11 April 2011 |newspaper=Arab News |url=http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article352952.ece |access-date=12 April 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110412195958/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article352952.ece |archive-date=12 April 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Shia Muslims protest in eastern Saudi Arabia |date=16 April 2011 |work=International Business Times |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/135126/20110416/saudi-arabia-shias-protest-sunni.htm |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418005734/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/135126/20110416/saudi-arabia-shias-protest-sunni.htm |archive-date=18 April 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Abdul Nabi |last=Shaheen |title=Saudi women defy ban to register for polls |date=26 April 2011 |work=Gulf News |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-women-defy-ban-to-register-for-polls-1.799161 |access-date=25 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429223917/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-women-defy-ban-to-register-for-polls-1.799161 |archive-date=29 April 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Abdullah |last=Al-Shihri |title=Manal al-Sherif, Saudi Woman, Detained For Defying Driving Ban |date=21 May 2011 |work=HuffPost|agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/21/manal-al-sherif-saudi-arabia-driving-ban_n_865120.html |access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523152848/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/21/manal-al-sherif-saudi-arabia-driving-ban_n_865120.html |archive-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Catrina |last=Stewart |title=Saudi woman arrested after defying driving ban |date=23 May 2011 |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-woman-arrested-after-defying-driving-ban-2287817.html |access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523232139/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-woman-arrested-after-defying-driving-ban-2287817.html |archive-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Habib |last=Toumi |title=Saudi actress Rahbini took driving lessons from husband |date=5 June 2011 |work=Gulf News |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-actress-rahbini-took-driving-lessons-from-husband-1.817674 |access-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608235815/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/saudi-actress-rahbini-took-driving-lessons-from-husband-1.817674 |archive-date=8 June 2011 }}
{{cite news |title=Five Saudi women drivers arrested, says activist |date=29 June 2011 |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/29/saudi-women-drivers-arrested-jiddah |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220175513/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/29/saudi-women-drivers-arrested-jiddah |archive-date=20 February 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Muna |last=Khan |title=Highway to Nowhere. Why is it so hard to give the wheel to women? |date=20 June 2011 |publisher=Al Arabiya |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/06/19/153953.html |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012213447/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/06/19/153953.html |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Ahmed |last=al-Omran |title=Reports: Saudi King Cancels Lashing Sentence Against Woman Who Drove |date=29 September 2011 |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/09/28/140887141/reports-saudi-king-cancels-lashing-sentence-against-woman-driver |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=10 January 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Kerry A. |last=Dolan |title=Saudi King Revokes Lashing Punishment For Woman Driver |date=28 September 2011 |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2011/09/28/saudi-king-revokes-lashing-punishment-for-woman-driver/ |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101090927/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2011/09/28/saudi-king-revokes-lashing-punishment-for-woman-driver/ |archive-date=1 January 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Two Shot Dead in Renewed Shiite Protests in Saudi |date=24 November 2011 |publisher=CDHRAP |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2828&act=show&Sectyp=146 |access-date=14 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221090537/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2828&act=show&Sectyp=146 |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}
{{cite news |title=Protester killed in Saudi eastern Shiite region |date=22 November 2011 |work=Al-Ahram |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/27227/World/Region/Protester-killed-in-Saudi-eastern-Shiite-region.aspx |access-date=14 January 2012 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=28 November 2011 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia: Renewed Protests Defy Ban |date=30 December 2011 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/30/saudi-arabia-renewed-protests-defy-ban |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108013013/http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/30/saudi-arabia-renewed-protests-defy-ban |archive-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=MD |last=al-Sulami |author2=Walaa Hawari |title=Arrest warrants issued for 23 Qatif rioters |date=3 January 2012 |newspaper=Arab News |url=http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article557944.ece |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107221520/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article557944.ece |archive-date=7 January 2012 }}
{{cite news |first=Angus |last=McDowall |title=Saudi Arabia seeks arrest of 23 Shi'ites for unrest |date=2 January 2012 |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-shiites-warrants-idUKTRE8010FP20120102 |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112034810/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/01/02/uk-saudi-shiites-warrants-idUKTRE8010FP20120102 |archive-date=12 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}
{{cite news |title=Saudi Wahhabi Police Arrested Shi'a Citizen Shah Ali Al Shokan |date=3 January 2012 |publisher=Ahlul Bayat News Agency |url=http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=288344 |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109171557/http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=288344 |archive-date=9 January 2012 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |title=Saudi Wahhabi Security Forces Arrested 5 Shi'a Citizens |date=4 January 2012 |publisher=Ahlul Bayat News Agency |url=http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=288571 |access-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723072538/http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=288571 |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |title=Saudi security forces injured and arrested the Shia citizen Aqeel Al Yaseen |date=11 January 2012 |publisher=CDHRAP |url=http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2855&act=show&Sectyp=146 |access-date=12 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221075921/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2855&act=show&Sectyp=146 |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}
{{cite news |title=MPs question Saudi arms contracts |date=13 January 2012 |work=London Evening Standard |location=London |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24027527-mps-question-saudi-arms-contracts.do |access-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505072301/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24027527-mps-question-saudi-arms-contracts.do |archive-date=5 May 2013 }}
{{cite news |title=Saudi police break up rare Riyadh demo |date=14 January 2012 |publisher=Press TV |agency=Ahlul Bayt News Agency |url=http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=290598 |access-date=16 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305055542/http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=290598 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=live }}
{{cite web |title=Thousands people escorted the Shi'a martyr Issam Abu Abdullah |publisher=CDHRAP |date=17 January 2012 |url=http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2859&act=show&Sectyp=146 |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130408094003/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2859&act=show&Sectyp=146 |archive-date=8 April 2013 }}
{{cite web |title=Shi'a citizens held two peaceful protests in Tarout and Sihat |publisher=CDHRAP |date=19 January 2012 |url=http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2861&act=show&Sectyp=146 |access-date=20 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130112012053/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2861&act=show&Sectyp=146 |archive-date=12 January 2013 }}
{{cite news |first=Nour |last=Merza |author2=Sami Aboudi |author3=Myra MacDonald |title=UPDATE 1-Police kill protester in Eastern Saudi Arabia-activists |date=10 February 2012 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/saudi-protest-idUSL5E8DA8O820120210 |access-date=10 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214013159/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/10/saudi-protest-idUSL5E8DA8O820120210 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Saudi Wahhabi Security Forces Martyred Two Peaceful Protesters in East + pic |date=12 February 2012 |publisher=Ahlul Bayat News Agency |url=http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=296016 |access-date=14 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723073657/http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=296016 |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |first=Jess |last=Hill |title=The Growing Rebellion in Saudi Arabia |date=24 February 2012 |work=The Global Mail |url=http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-growing-rebellion-in-saudi-arabia/84/ |access-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226232126/http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/the-growing-rebellion-in-saudi-arabia/84/ |archive-date=26 February 2012 }}
{{cite news |title=Saudi authorities detained a Syrian doctor works in a governmental clinic |date=15 February 2012 |publisher=CDHRAP |url=http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2907&act=show&Sectyp=146 |access-date=23 January 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221063902/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2907&act=show&Sectyp=146 |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}
{{cite news |title=Saudi women launch legal fight against driving ban |work=The Daily Telegraph |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=6 February 2012 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/saudiarabia/9062995/Saudi-women-launch-legal-fight-against-driving-ban.html |access-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite web |last=Metz |first=Helen Chaplin |author-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=The Legal System |work=Saudi Arabia: A Country Study |year=1992 |publisher=United States Library of Congress |url=http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm |access-date=24 February 2012 |archive-date=9 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009005410/http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |first=Rashid |last=Abul-Samh |title=Saudi Shias riot yet again for better conditions |date=13 October 2011 |newspaper=Al-Ahram Weekly |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1068/re9.htm |access-date=22 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223053606/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1068/re9.htm |archive-date=23 December 2011 }}
{{cite news |title=Fifty injured in attack on Saudi student protest: report |date=7 March 2012 |work=Al Akhbar |url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/50-students-hurt-attack-saudi-student-protest-report |access-date=8 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309030425/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/50-students-hurt-attack-saudi-student-protest-report |archive-date=9 March 2012 }}
{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia: Student and citizen die in protests |publisher=Arab Network for Human Rights Information |date=13 March 2012 |url=http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=7345 |access-date=13 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317044542/http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=7345 |archive-date=17 March 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Female students protest 'poor conditions' at Tabuk University |date=10 April 2012 |work=Saudi Gazette |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120410121469 |access-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627085226/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120410121469 |archive-date=27 June 2013 }}
{{cite news |first=Sara |last=Anabtawi |title=Saudi females protest over learning conditions |date=10 April 2012 |work=Arabian Business |url=http://m.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-females-protest-over-learning-conditions-453408.html |access-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528200752/http://m.arabianbusiness.com/saudi-females-protest-over-learning-conditions-453408.html |archive-date=28 May 2012 }}
{{cite news |first=Donna |last=Abu-Nasr |title=Saudi Women Drive on Anniversary of Campaign to End Ban |date=29 June 2012 |publisher=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-28/saudi-women-urged-to-drive-on-anniversary-of-campaign-to-end-ban.html |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=3 July 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Saudi protest crackdown leaves two dead |date=9 July 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127819561763436.html |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711005424/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/20127819561763436.html |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Hammond |author2=Sami Aboudi |author3=Ralph Boulton |title=Saudi Arabia says two killed after cleric's arrest |date=9 May 2012 |work=Reuters |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE8680YJ20120709?sp=true |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191723/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE8680YJ20120709?sp=true |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}
{{cite news |title=Pictures of Qatif martyrs killed by the Saudi regime including funeral |date=10 May 2012 |publisher=Shafaqna |url=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 |access-date=11 July 2012 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=5 November 2012 }}
{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia: Punish human rights violators not human rights defenders: Oral intervention at the UN Human Rights Council 20th Session |publisher=Amnesty International |date=3 July 2012 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/016/2012/en/ |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-date=21 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221051907/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/016/2012/en/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |first=Asma |last=Al Sharif |author2=Angus McDowall |author3=Sami Aboudi |author4=Christopher Wilson |title=Saudi police arrest prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric |date=8 July 2012 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-arrest-idUSBRE8670GH20120708 |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711183407/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/08/us-saudi-arrest-idUSBRE8670GH20120708 |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |title=Saudi Shia protesters mourned by 'thousands' |date=12 July 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/201271252423623334.html |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714015449/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/07/201271252423623334.html |archive-date=14 July 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite web |title=Saudi protesters hold massive anti-regime rally in Qatif |publisher=CDHRAP |date=11 July 2012 |url=http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2996&act=show&Sectyp=146 |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221155601/http://cdhrap.net/english/index.php?sec=V1d4a1IySm5QVDA9&sub=V1cweFYwMHlUak5RVkRBOQ==&id=2996&act=show&Sectyp=146 |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}
{{cite news |first=Sami |last=Aboudi |author2=Asma al-Sharif |author3=Ralph Boulton |author4=Kevin Liffey |title=Saudi Shi'ites throng funeral of slain protester |date=11 July 2012 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-funeral-idUSBRE86A0VR20120711 |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713181923/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/11/us-saudi-funeral-idUSBRE86A0VR20120711 |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Sami |last=Aboudi |author2=Asma al-Sharif |author3=Andrew Hammond |author4=Ralph Boulton |author5=Kevin Liffey |title=Saudi Shi'ites throng funerals of slain protesters |date=11 July 2012 |work=Reuters |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE86A15020120711?sp=true |access-date=13 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191719/http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFBRE86A15020120711?sp=true |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}
{{cite news|title=Saudi protester killed in latest unrest |date=14 July 2012 |publisher=Bikya Masr |url=http://www.bikyamasr.com/72692/saudi-protester-killed-in-latest-unrest |access-date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221231915/http://www.bikyamasr.com/72692/saudi-protester-killed-in-latest-unrest |archive-date=21 February 2013}}
{{cite news |title=Sheikh Nimr Tortured by Saudi Authorities |date=17 July 2012 |publisher=Al-Manar |url=http://www5.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=61729&frid=23&seccatid=28&cid=23&fromval=1 |access-date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718221750/http://www5.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=61729&frid=23&seccatid=28&cid=23&fromval=1 |archive-date=18 July 2012 }}
{{cite news |title=Saudi police fire on Shiite protest: witnesses |date=27 July 2012 |publisher=France 24 |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20120727-saudi-police-fire-shiite-protest-witnesses |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325131009/http://www.france24.com/en/20120727-saudi-police-fire-shiite-protest-witnesses |archive-date=25 March 2013 }}
{{cite news |title=Deaths in clash after Saudi rights protest |date=4 August 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/08/20128472859450737.html |access-date=4 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806172714/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/08/20128472859450737.html |archive-date=6 August 2012 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Abdul Rahman |last=al-Khatarish |author2=Muhammad Makki |title=I'm proud my son died a martyr |date=6 August 2012 |work=Saudi Gazette |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120806132261 |access-date=14 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728223404/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20120806132261 |archive-date=28 July 2013 }}
{{cite news | title= Saudi Arabia: 2 gunmen killed in predominantly Shiite region | date= 2019-04-09 | publisher= WTOP-FM/AP | url= https://wtop.com/middle-east/2019/04/saudi-arabia-2-gunmen-killed-in-predominantly-shiite-region/ | access-date= 2019-04-24 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190424211359/https://wtop.com/middle-east/2019/04/saudi-arabia-2-gunmen-killed-in-predominantly-shiite-region/ | archive-date= 24 April 2019 | url-status= live }}
{{cite news |title=Russia "concerned" by Saudi oppression |date=15 July 2012 |newspaper=Al Akhbar |agency=Reuters |url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/russia-concerned-saudi-oppression |access-date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717000941/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/russia-concerned-saudi-oppression |archive-date=17 July 2012 }}
{{cite web |last=Dolgov |first=K.K. |title=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 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=12 July 2012 |url=http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/F9DAE72017153B9744257A3A002D1661 |access-date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728225357/http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/F9DAE72017153B9744257A3A002D1661 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |url-status=live}}
{{cite web |title=2012 International Women of Courage Award Winners |publisher=US Dept of State |date=5 February 2012 |url=https://www.state.gov/s/gwi/programs/iwoc/2012/bio/index.htm |access-date=9 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308231128/http://www.state.gov/s/gwi/programs/iwoc/2012/bio/index.htm |archive-date=8 March 2012 }}
{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Consiglio |title=Protesters target US Consulate |date=21 July 2012 |newspaper=Toronto Sun |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/21/protesters-target-us-consulate |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625175839/http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/21/protesters-target-us-consulate |archive-date=25 June 2013 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Homewood |title=Pro-democracy protesters at Saudi embassy |date=20 July 2012 |work=The Canberra Times |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/prodemocracy-protesters-at-saudi-embassy-20120719-22dcu.html |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530153542/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/prodemocracy-protesters-at-saudi-embassy-20120719-22dcu.html |archive-date=30 May 2014 |url-status=live}}
{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia's political prisoners: towards a third decade of silence |publisher=Islamic Human Rights Commission |date=30 September 2011 |url=http://ihrc.org.uk/attachments/article/9867/Saudi%20Report%20A4-v04.pdf |access-date=2 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203081209/http://www.ihrc.org.uk/attachments/article/9867/Saudi%20Report%20A4-v04.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2011 }}
}}
Further reading
- {{cite book |last=Alrabaa |first=Sami |year=2010 |title=Veiled Atrocities: True Stories of Oppression in Saudi Arabia |location=Amherst, NY |publisher=Prometheus Books |isbn=978-1-61614-159-2 }}
- {{cite book |last=Al-Rasheed |first=Madawi |year=2007 |title=Contesting the Saudi State: Islamic Voices from a New Generation |location=New York |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-85836-6 }}
- {{cite book |last=Hamzawy |first=Amr |chapter=The Saudi Labyrinth: Is There a Political Opening? |editor1-last=Ottaway |editor1-first=Marina |editor2-last=Choucair-Vizoso |editor2-first=Julia |title=Beyond the Façade: Political Reform in the Arab World |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |year=2008 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/beyondfacadepoli0000otta/page/187 187–210] |isbn=978-0-87003-239-4 |chapter-url-access=registration |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/beyondfacadepoli0000otta/page/187 }}
External links
{{Commons category|2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests}}
- [http://saudiwoman.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/the-arab-revolution-saudi-update Blog discussing a Facebook page for 11 March protests] by Eman Fahad al-Nafjan [https://web.archive.org/web/20110221184606/http://saudiwoman.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/the-arab-revolution-saudi-update/ archive 2011-02-18]
- {{youtube|c7zgifyiqnA|Saudi Arabia's Secret Uprising}} and [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31915367 on BBC], documentary film, BBC, 2015, by Safa Al Ahmad.
{{2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests}}
{{Arab Spring}}
{{Iran–Saudi Arabia relations}}
{{Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saudi Arabian protests, 2011-2012}}
Category:2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests
Category:Arab Spring by country
Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia relations
Category:Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict