Country Expert Witness on Saudi Arabia and Middle East Countries for Asylum Cases Providing Expert Witness Reports, Evidence and Country Expert Testimonies for Asylum and Human Rights Cases

Country Expert Witness on Saudi Arabia and Middle East Countries for Asylum Cases
Hello, dear colleagues!
This article is primarily written for law firms representing asylum applicants from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, although it may also be useful for applicants themselves.
My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am the founder of The Human Rights, an international agency of expert witnesses specializing in expert reports for asylum seekers worldwide (website: thehuman-rights.com).

We provide expert witness reports on human rights violations, political persecution, and asylum-related risks across key regions, including:

• Post-Soviet Region (CIS): Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.
• East Africa: Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda.
• South & Central Asia: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
• Middle East: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.
• Western Balkans: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Latin America & the Caribbean: Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.
• East Asia: China, North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar.

In this article, I will explain how our team approaches the analysis of the situation in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, highlight key issues related to human rights violations, and discuss why an expert witness report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.

What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to substantiate facts, justify risks, and assess the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
Its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a real threat of persecution and cannot return to Saudi Arabia or another Middle Eastern country due to the risks involved. The report serves as witness testimony in the asylum case, providing expert insight into the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.

Why is an Expert Witness Report Essential?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:

• At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the general situation in Saudi Arabia or another Middle Eastern country.
• At the appeal stage: If the application has been denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors, and providing additional evidence.

Key Functions of an Expert Witness Report
1. Contextual Analysis
An expert witness report confirms the broader situation in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, including political instability, repression, and conflict, citing both international and local sources.
2. Personal Risk Assessment
The report demonstrates the connection between the applicant’s individual threats and the conditions in their country. Whether it’s due to their political views, ethnicity, religion, or gender, the report will explain why they are personally at risk in Saudi Arabia or another Middle Eastern country.
3. Strengthening the Evidence Base
An expert witness report verifies that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group facing persecution. Vulnerable groups can include ethnic or religious minorities, journalists, political activists, and women, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, where these groups may face targeted violence.
4. Support with Credible Sources
The report references authoritative organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others. All sources are formatted according to the OSCOLA citation standard.

Country Expert Witness on Saudi Arabia and Middle Eastern Countries
At The Human Rights, we specialize in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East region. Our reports are tailored to asylum cases in the UK, USA, Canada, and the EU, ensuring compliance with immigration law standards and expert witness requirements.
We provide in-depth analysis on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, addressing issues such as:

• Political Repression: Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with severe limitations on political freedom. Any opposition to the monarchy or the royal family can lead to imprisonment, torture, or even execution. Individuals involved in protests or political activism face harsh consequences, including arbitrary detention and prolonged imprisonment.
• Freedom of Expression: Freedom of speech and press is severely restricted in Saudi Arabia, with any form of dissent or criticism of the government or royal family being harshly punished. Journalists and bloggers face imprisonment, torture, and even death for their work, and social media users may also face persecution for expressing anti-government views.
• Religious Persecution: Saudi Arabia is home to a state religion (Wahhabism), and individuals who deviate from the state-approved interpretation of Islam, such as Shia Muslims, face discrimination, harassment, and violence. Additionally, religious minorities, such as Christians or Jews, may be persecuted for their beliefs. Public practice of non-Islamic religions is banned, and atheism is punishable by law.
• Women's Rights: While there have been some reforms, Saudi Arabia remains one of the most restrictive countries for women. Women face legal and societal discrimination, including restrictions on their freedom of movement, dress codes, and their ability to make independent legal decisions. Women who defy these laws or escape abusive situations often face severe retaliation.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: Saudi Arabia has strict laws criminalizing homosexuality and gender non-conformity. LGBTQ+ individuals face persecution, including imprisonment, corporal punishment, and even execution in some cases. Social ostracism, violence, and threats of violence are common against LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia.
• Human Rights Abuses in Detention: Arbitrary detention, torture, and forced confessions are common practices in Saudi Arabia, particularly against political prisoners, activists, and individuals accused of religious or ideological dissent. Those detained often face ill-treatment, poor conditions, and lack of legal representation, with no recourse to a fair trial.
• Treatment of Migrant Workers: Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly those from South Asia, are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. They often face poor living conditions, non-payment of wages, and abuse by employers. Migrants who attempt to escape exploitation risk being detained or deported.

Why Choose Our Expert Witness Reports?
Collective Expertise & Verification
Our reports are prepared by regional country experts, researchers, and legal analysts, ensuring accuracy and depth. Every report undergoes fact-checking and validation by our senior experts before submission.
Court-Tested Reports & Expert Testimony
Our experts are available to testify in court, reinforcing the credibility of the asylum applicant’s case. We follow the highest standards of expert witness reporting, including OSCOLA citation formatting and references to leading human rights organizations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNHCR, etc.).
Customized Reports for Each Case
We tailor each report to the specific applicant’s circumstances, linking their personal risks to the broader situation in their country of origin.
Strong Track Record of Success
Our reports have played a key role in successful asylum applications and appeals, helping individuals prove their risk of persecution.