Saudi Arabia's new laws curb challenges at home and abroad

In January the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, told the BBC that sanctions on Iran should be lifted, a sentiment welcomed by Oman but opposed by Saudi Arabia. Whilst the Kingdom has pushed for a closer alliance within the Gulf Cooperation Council, Oman and Dubai’s position suggests the six states which make up the organisation are far from united.

Amongst other things Saudi Arabia sees a threat in Iran’s ability to destabilise the Arab Gulf and extend its influence regionally. This has led the Kingdom to fight a proxy war against Iran to the backdrop of the conflict in Syria by bankrolling the opposition; on the other side Bashar Al Assad is propped up by military equipment and elite troops, thanks to Iran.

But with Gulf partners, especially the UAE, lined up to mend fences with Iran, Saudi Arabia appears to be de-escalating its hostile position. On Monday King Abdullah passed a royal decree that threatened to imprison for up to twenty years citizens who fight outside the Kingdom, a ruling aimed particularly at the thousands of Saudis have flocked to Syria and taken up arms against Assad.

Though they claim they do not fund Al-Qaeda-linked groups, Saudi have faced continual criticism for funding the rebels and therefore obstructing diplomatic attempts to solve the Syrian crisis. Many analysts have pointed out the Kingdom are worried that the skills Saudi fighters pick up fighting abroad could be turned on their head and used against the monarchy back home; particularly worrying for the House of Saud who want to avoid a Mubarak-style departure at all costs.

The decree also stipulates that anyone guilty of supporting or funding terrorism could find themselves with a hefty 30-year prison sentence. Whilst Saudi authorities said this was issued in accordance with Islamic law to shelter Muslim unity and security in the country, it is more likely to be a pointed reference to Saudi’s Islamists, including their Muslim Brotherhood sympathisers.

Back in July last year the Kingdom endorsed the overthrow of Egypt’s first democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi by offering billions of dollars to the military-backed government within days of his overthrow. The Muslim Brotherhood have since been declared a terrorist organisation in Egypt – much like this, Saudis new law intends to curb Muslim Brotherhood supporters at home. The Egyptian Brotherhood’s willingness to engage in democracy set a precedent in the region, which threatens Saudi’s monarchy.

Also as a buffer to domestic challenges, on 1 February the Kingdom passed another law against the crimes of terrorism and it’s financing. Potential breaches include “disturbing the public order of the state” and “endangering its national unity” a pointed reference to anyone calling for regime change in the Kingdom.

This law, which gives the security services the power to monitor phone calls and internet usage and raid people’s homes, could easily be used against peaceful dissidents and simply serves to continue the pattern of human rights abuses that currently exist across Saudi Arabia whilst providing a legal basis from which to curb dissidents.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.