How to Support the Campaign for Osama Khalid's Freedom: A Step-by-Step Guide

In July 2020, Saudi authorities detained Osama Khalid—a Wikipedia editor, blogger, and medical student—for sharing information online that challenged official narratives. His case has seen wild sentencing swings: initially five years, then 32, down to 25, then 14 in September 2024. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Saudi human rights group ALQST are leading an offline campaign to secure his release. You can join this effort. Below is a practical how-to guide for anyone who wants to make a difference—whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned activist.

What You Need

• Internet access and a device (computer, phone, or tablet)
• Active social media accounts (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.)
• Email account for contacting media, officials, and organizations
• Willingness to learn about Osama’s case and Saudi Arabia’s human rights situation
• A few hours per week to dedicate to campaign actions
• Optional: Financial resources for donations; local community or student group for offline events

Step-by-Step Actions

Step 1: Educate Yourself Thoroughly

Before speaking out, understand the facts. Osama began editing Wikipedia at age 12 and became a prolific blogger. He wrote about open-source technology, internet freedom, and human rights—including articles on Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul (a former EFF client) and the notorious al-Ha’ir prison. He also translated for EFF’s HTTPS Everywhere. In July 2020, he was arrested amid a wave of COVID-19 lockdown arrests. Read reports from ALQST and EFF. Know that his “crime” was sharing information that conflicted with official narratives, a pattern seen worldwide where vague cybercrime laws and national security claims are used to silence critics.

Step 2: Amplify His Story on Social Media

Use your accounts to spread awareness. Share posts from EFF and ALQST with brief, clear context. Use hashtags like #FreeOsamaKhalid, #SaudiArabia, #HumanRights. Tag media outlets, human rights organizations, and influential accounts. Create original content: short videos, infographics, or threads explaining why Osama’s case matters. Focus on the arbitrary sentencing and the principle that writing code and sharing ideas should not be crimes.

Step 3: Sign Petitions and Join Letter-Writing Campaigns

Petitions put public pressure on governments. EFF and ALQST often have active petition links. Write letters to your local representative, the Saudi embassy in your country, or the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. Use templates provided by campaigns but personalize them with your own words. Highlight that Osama was training to be a pediatrician and that his detention harms the global community of knowledge-builders.

Step 4: Donate to Key Organizations

Financial support powers legal advocacy, translation, and awareness campaigns. Donate to ALQST (which has been leading the local campaign) and EFF (which includes Osama’s case in its Offline project). Even small monthly donations help sustain the long fight. If you can’t donate, share donation links with your network.

Step 5: Engage Media and Influencers

Write to reporters covering human rights, cybersecurity, or the Middle East. Pitch a story: “Why a Wikipedia editor’s 14-year sentence for blogging should concern everyone.” Contact podcasters, YouTubers, and bloggers with relevant audiences. Provide them with a press kit containing facts, quotes from EFF and ALQST, and links to more information. International media attention raises the political cost of repression.

Step 6: Organize Local Actions

Coordinate with friends, classmates, or local activist groups. Host a screening of a documentary on internet freedom, followed by a discussion about Osama’s case. Set up a table at a community event with flyers and a petition. Write op-eds for your campus or local newspaper. Offline actions complement online campaigns and reach audiences not active on social media.

Step 7: Stay Updated and Persistent

Cases like Osama’s can drag on for years. Subscribe to EFF’s newsletter, follow ALQST on social media, and join dedicated Telegram or WhatsApp groups. Celebrate small victories (like sentence reductions) but don’t let up. Remind your networks regularly—not just on special days. Persistence is key: sustained campaigning helped secure meaningful protections for Alaa Abd El Fattah and Ola Bini, as EFF notes.

Tips for Effective Advocacy

• Focus on the Principle: Frame Osama’s case as not just about one person but about defending the right to write code, share ideas, criticize governments, and organize online. This resonates with a broad audience.
• Verify Sources: Only share information from trusted organizations (EFF, ALQST, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch). Misinformation harms credibility.
• Respect Boundaries: Avoid sharing unverified personal details about Osama or his family. Prioritize dignity.
• Collaborate: Join forces with existing campaigns rather than starting from scratch. ALQST and EFF have established networks and materials.
• Self-Care: Advocacy can be draining. Take breaks, celebrate progress, and remember that every action contributes to shifting the political climate.

By following these steps, you become part of a global movement that says: arbitrary detention and silencing of voices are unacceptable. Osama Khalid, like so many human rights defenders, deserves freedom. Your voice—online or offline—can help make that happen.