The Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry on Saturday announced a ban on all demonstrations, marches, and protests saying these go against Islamic (Shariah) law and the kingdom’s traditions.
The Interior Ministry warned Saturday that Saudi security forces are authorized to act against those who cause disorder. In a statement, the ministry said that Saudis have legal means of filing complaints.
“The council stresses that demonstrations are prohibited in this country, and that the Islamic way of realizing common interest is by offering advice,” the statement said, according to reports.
Organizers on Facebook have been calling for demonstrations with dramatic names as a “Day of Rage” and “Saudi Revolution” on March 11 and 20.
Last week hundreds of people took to the streets to express their grievances. On Friday, several hundred Shi'ites came out to call for the release of detainees in the country’s Eastern Province. Three men were arrested in the capital that same day after a dozen men gathered and shouted slogans against oppression and the monarchy, according AFP.
On Thursday 22 people were arrested in the Eastern Province during a protest calling for the release of other detainees, witnesses told AFP.
The unrest in the Arab region over the last few months had previously not significantly affected Saudi Arabia, the world’s second largest crude oil producer, beside the country being the landing place of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The Interior Ministry warned Saturday that Saudi security forces are authorized to act against those who cause disorder. In a statement, the ministry said that Saudis have legal means of filing complaints.
“The council stresses that demonstrations are prohibited in this country, and that the Islamic way of realizing common interest is by offering advice,” the statement said, according to reports.
Organizers on Facebook have been calling for demonstrations with dramatic names as a “Day of Rage” and “Saudi Revolution” on March 11 and 20.
Last week hundreds of people took to the streets to express their grievances. On Friday, several hundred Shi'ites came out to call for the release of detainees in the country’s Eastern Province. Three men were arrested in the capital that same day after a dozen men gathered and shouted slogans against oppression and the monarchy, according AFP.
On Thursday 22 people were arrested in the Eastern Province during a protest calling for the release of other detainees, witnesses told AFP.
The unrest in the Arab region over the last few months had previously not significantly affected Saudi Arabia, the world’s second largest crude oil producer, beside the country being the landing place of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
