Mr. AlHajee

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: 26.0667

Longitude: 50.5577

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: a human rights defender and former political prisoner

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal

On 28 February 2025, Mr. AlHajee, a human rights defender and former political prisoner, received a written summons from the Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Science, followed by a telephone call from the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID), instructing him to report to it immediately.
Upon compliance, Mr. AlHajee was reportedly subjected to prolonged interrogation regarding his human rights activities, in particular his social media posts, including one on his meeting with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in October 2024.5 He was also allegedly questioned about his engagement with the United Nations.
On 1 March 2025, the Public Prosecution’s Terrorism Crimes Unit ordered his detention for seven days on charges of “spreading false news using social media.” Reportedly, both his interrogation and detention orders were carried out without access to legal counsel. On 3 March, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders publicly denounced Mr. AlHajee’s detention and interrogation regarding his human rights work in a post on social media, and called for his immediate release.6
During the first six days of detention, Mr. AlHajee was reportedly denied access to basic necessities, held in unsanitary conditions, and not provided meals suitable for his health needs. On 6 March, his detention was extended by 15 days, but he was released on 10 March after 11 days in custody.

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information

On 28 February 2025, Mr. AlHajee, a human rights defender and former political prisoner, received a written summons from the Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Science, followed by a telephone call from the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID), instructing him to report to it immediately.
Upon compliance, Mr. AlHajee was reportedly subjected to prolonged interrogation regarding his human rights activities, in particular his social media posts, including one on his meeting with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in October 2024.5 He was also allegedly questioned about his engagement with the United Nations.
On 1 March 2025, the Public Prosecution’s Terrorism Crimes Unit ordered his detention for seven days on charges of “spreading false news using social media.” Reportedly, both his interrogation and detention orders were carried out without access to legal counsel. On 3 March, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders publicly denounced Mr. AlHajee’s detention and interrogation regarding his human rights work in a post on social media, and called for his immediate release.6
During the first six days of detention, Mr. AlHajee was reportedly denied access to basic necessities, held in unsanitary conditions, and not provided meals suitable for his health needs. On 6 March, his detention was extended by 15 days, but he was released on 10 March after 11 days in custody.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: No

Government response content: On 31 July 2025, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report denying allegations of reprisals against Mr. Al Hajee and stating that he had not been interrogated or targeted due to his engagement with United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms. The Government noted that Mr. Al Hajee had been summoned on 28 February 2025 by the relevant authorities pursuant to a Public Prosecution order to investigate allegations of dissemination of false information online. The Government noted further that he had been placed in pre-trial detention and released on 10 March 2025, and that his case had been formally closed following a thorough legal review. According to the Government, while in detention, Mr. Al Hajee was examined twice by a medical doctor, had telephone contact with his family, and received adequate food and health care. The Government added that, following a complaint, the Ombudsman investigated and confirmed that he had been treated in accordance with national and international law.

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: No

#EndReprisals