Sons of jailed Saudi scholars urge Cambridge to drop plans to train Riyadh staff
Summary
Families of two Saudi scholars facing the death penalty have asked the University of Cambridge to stop plans for training Saudi defense ministry staff. The families and human rights groups say the deal could support Saudi Arabia’s government despite ongoing human rights abuses.Key Facts
- Cambridge Judge Business School wants to provide leadership and innovation training to Saudi defense ministry staff.
- The sons of Hassan Farhan al-Maliki and Salman al-Odah, two Saudi scholars sentenced to death, have asked Cambridge to cancel the deal.
- Al-Maliki and al-Odah have been imprisoned since 2017 for charges linked to their free speech and reform efforts.
- Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 people last year, the highest number in recent history.
- The deal has caused concern within Cambridge, with some academics and human rights groups fearing it could legitimize Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s government.
- Cambridge’s committee approved seeking a memorandum of understanding with Saudi defense, but no formal agreement has been signed yet.
- Human rights organizations stress that academic freedom and freedom of speech should be protected, which they fear will be compromised.
- The university declined to comment directly on the appeal letter but referenced a prior statement saying no formal agreement is signed.
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