On 13 February 2025, Saudi teacher, Asaad Al Ghamdi, was released from detention in Saudi Arabia after nearly 2 years and 3 months of detention based on the exercise of free expression on social media.  Mr Al Ghamdi was convicted in May 2024 of charges related to posts on twitter falling within his right to peaceful free expression and sentenced to 20 years in prison.  In October 2024, his sentence was reduced to 15 years by the appeals court.  His case was recognised by human rights organisations as part of a pattern of repression in Saudi Arabia against free expression on social media (See, HRW and Amnesty)

Haydee Dijkstal was instructed as international counsel for Mr Asaad Al Ghamdi to raise his case before international mechanisms.  This included raising his case before UN Special Rapporteurs under the UN Special Procedures to address the human rights violations associated with his detention, including the right to free expression and to a fair trial and due process.

Media coverage included: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/12/fresh-scrutiny-of-free-speech-in-saudi-arabia-after-brothers-convictions-over-tweets