Amnesty International has called on the Saudi Arabian authorities to reverse the ban on peaceful protest in the Kingdom, amid fears of a violent crackdown on mass demonstrations planned for Friday's “Day of Rage”. “Instead of banning peaceful protests the Saudi Arabian authorities should address the need for major human rights reform in the country,” said Philip Luther, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program. “They must heed the growing calls for change within Saudi Arabia”. Media reports over the weekend suggested that some 10,000 Saudi troops would be deployed to crack down on any protests. “Reports that the Saudi authorities plan to deploy troops to police upcoming demonstrations are very worrying,” said Philip Luther. “Rather than seeking to intimidate would-be demonstrators from coming out on the streets, the authorities should rein in the security forces and allow peaceful protests to take place.” Amnesty
