from Saudi Arabia Prison and Repatriation to Sri Lanka

The US-based International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) today notes with satisfaction that the unjust death sentence against Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu expatriate engineer, was set aside by the Saudi Arabian Supreme court on October 13th, 2026.

The ICHRRF now calls for immediate intervention by the United Nations, national governments, human rights organizations, interfaith organizations, and the international community to prevent any physical harm or torture to Anojan Sivarasa and secure the immediate release of this innocent Sri Lankan youth currently in Saudi Arabian prison since July 1st, 2026.  

Anojan Sivarasa’s post was evidently provoked by disparaging remarks on his own religion by Muslim posters about a Hindu God in his native Sri Lanka. His comments in Tamil language were promptly translated into Arabic language and sent to his employers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by his detractors in Sri Lanka.  He reportedly deleted the Facebook comment within five minutes and issued an unconditional public apology. We interpret this sequence of events as premeditated and malicious action. There was deliberate provocation and legal entrapment followed by systematic persecution of this young man mis-utilizing the strict blasphemy laws in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The whole legal case against him in Saudi Arabia is a travesty and miscarriage of justice as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not have universal jurisdiction over online comments made in Sri Lanka. International norms about consular access and legal assistance were not maintained. The prosecutors appeal in Shara’h court instead of criminal court to secure death penalty is in keeping with Saudi Arabia’s historical trend of increasing the severity of punishment following appeals.

ICHRRF President, Dr. Adityanjee opined, “Nothing is achieved by continued incarceration of Anojan Sivarasa in Saudi Prison system where his physical security and life cannot be guaranteed.  In a totalitarian, theocratic state, it is difficult to trust the intentions of the authorities.  He emphasized that fairness to this young man cannot be ensured in Saudi prison system. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The ICHRRF urgently calls upon:

• – The Government of Saudi Arabia to halt any physical torture or injury to this young man in Saudi prison, immediately release him to the custody of Sri Lankan diplomats in presence of International Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations. 
   
• – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and relevant UN agencies to urgently arrange a special flight through Saudi airspace to repatriate Anojan Sivarasa to his native country Sri Lanka.
   
• – The Government of Sri Lanka to continue diplomatic engagement with Saudi authorities, provide consular protection and legal assistance, and pursue all available avenues to secure his immediate release and safe repatriation back to Sri Lanka.
   
• – International human rights organizations, civil society groups, religious leaders, and governments worldwide to raise awareness, engage diplomatic channels, and advocate for an end to the use of capital punishment for peaceful expression. Blasphemy laws must be abrogated internationally.
   
• – The International Labor Organization (ILO) and human rights community to support broader reforms protecting freedom of belief, freedom of expression, due process, and the rights of migrant workers and expatriate professionals.

About ICHHRF

The International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) advocates for the protection of fundamental human rights, religious freedom, human dignity, and justice through education, awareness, and international engagement.

Media Contact:
International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF)
erik.kalasunas@ichrrf.onmicrosoft.com
https://www.ichrrf.org/