ALQST

Description

ALQST, also known as Al Qst, is an independent, grassroots human rights organization that documents and promotes human rights in Saudi Arabia. It was founded in August 2014 by Yahya Assiri, a former Royal Saudi Air Force officer. A team in Saudi Arabia researches individual cases while a team in London publishes reports and news based on that research.

The organization tracks and reports on political prisoners, activists, women’s rights defenders, bloggers, journalists and religious scholars detained or sentenced in Saudi Arabia. It has documented waves of arrests of women’s rights activists involved in the women to drive movement and the anti male-guardianship campaign, as well as cases against human rights defenders facing the death penalty. It has also reported on the kafala labour system and on migrant workers held incommunicado.

ALQST publishes annual reports on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, submits input to United Nations bodies, and has called for international investigations, including into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. It issues advisories and campaigns highlighting human rights risks, such as for visitors travelling to Saudi Arabia. Lina al-Hathloul, sister of activist Loujain al-Hathloul, heads its monitoring and advocacy work.