Families of Scholars Facing Death Penalty Urge University of Cambridge to Reconsider Partnership with Saudi Defense Ministry
The families of two prominent scholars in Saudi Arabia, who are currently facing the death penalty, have appealed to the University of Cambridge to halt plans for a staff training initiative with the Saudi defense ministry. This plea comes amid rising concerns regarding human rights abuses in the Kingdom.
According to recent reports from The Guardian, Cambridge’s Judge Business School has received authorization to offer “leadership development” and “innovation management” training for personnel in Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry. This decision has sparked controversy within the university, particularly over the country’s record on human rights and academic freedom.
The sons of the detained scholars, Hassan Farhan al-Maliki and Salman al-Odah, have reached out to university officials, including Chancellor Chris Smith and Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice, imploring them to reconsider the partnership. In a letter, the families articulated their concerns, stating, “A prestigious partnership like this risks legitimizing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s false narrative of reform, despite undeniable evidence of ongoing human rights violations.”
The appeal highlights alarming statistics, including reports that Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 individuals last year, marking the highest number in the kingdom’s modern history. Various international human rights organizations have condemned the Saudi public prosecutor’s call for the death penalty against al-Maliki and al-Odah, based on vaguely defined accusations.
Abobaker Almalki, son of Hassan Farhan al-Maliki, and Abdullah al-Odah, son of Salman al-Odah, emphasized the emotional toll on their families. They remarked, “We feel compelled to reach out as families who have spent years watching our loved ones suffer for exercising the very freedoms that the university stands to protect.”
Hassan Farhan al-Maliki, a religious reformer and commentator, has been imprisoned since 2017. He faces multiple charges, including conducting interviews with international media and possessing banned literature. Similarly, Salman al-Odah was arrested for his social media posts that allegedly mocked government actions, among other charges.
Human rights advocate Jeed Basyouni, from Reprieve, commented on the situation, stating, “Universities pride themselves on being the home of free thought and academic debate. Freedom of speech must be upheld as a foundational principle, even amid external pressures.” Basyouni emphasized that the partnership with a regime known for its repression undermines the ideals of academic institutions like Cambridge.
Earlier this year, Cambridge’s committee on benefactions and external affairs approved a motion for the Judge Business School to pursue a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi ministry of defense for executive education programs. This proposal has met significant backlash from senior academics, including Jemimah Steinfeld, Chief Executive of Index on Censorship, who deemed it “repugnant.”
A spokesperson for the University of Cambridge refrained from commenting on the families’ letter but referenced a previous statement from the business school, asserting that “Cambridge Judge business school has not signed such an MoU with the Saudi Arabia defense ministry.” However, documents reviewed by The Guardian indicate that the Judge Business School received permission to proceed with the MoU during a benefactions committee meeting earlier this year.
The families of the imprisoned scholars insist that real change must begin with Saudi Arabia addressing its oppressive policies against freedom of expression. Their letter concluded by stating, “The only meaningful safeguard is to insist that Saudi Arabia end its repression of freedom of expression and release those being prosecuted solely for their beliefs as a pre-condition for engagement.”
This situation underscores a significant ethical dilemma for academic institutions navigating global partnerships while upholding their commitment to human rights and freedom of expression. As the University of Cambridge weighs the implications of its impending partnership with Saudi Arabia, the international community watches closely, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform in the Kingdom.
