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Freedom to Write Committee Announces New Honorary Members
February 17, 2005
Freedom to Write is honored to take up the causes of two Saudi Arabian writers: novelist and poet Ali al-Domaini, and scientific writer Dr. Matrook (Matrouq) al-Faleh.
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Both men were arrested in March 2004 for their activism in creating a new human rights organization meant to be more effective than the government-run National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR). Because of their written criticism of the NCHR, they were arrested on suspicion of issuing “statements which do not serve the unity of the country and the cohesion of society… based on Islamic religion.”
Both al-Domaini and al-Faleh remain in prison, awaiting a trial that has yet to come. Al-Domaini is a diabetic, and through his wife says he seems healthy, there are serious concerns for his health while he is in prison.
PEN USA is concerned by the continuing imprisonment of these two men, both whom have refused to sign a document denouncing their activism. Their bravery and sacrifice are recognized as Honorary Members of PEN USA. We are working towards helping them achieve their freedom.
Should you be inspired to work on their behalf and become their “minder,” please contact us for more information at ftw@penusa.org, or call 213-365-8500.
Case sheets and sample letters of appeal for Ali al-Domaini and Dr. Matrook al-Faleh will be up on the website shortly.