A/HRC/10/8/Add.1 page 49 they were arrested and detained at Hayr Prison in Riyadh. Despite intense efforts undertaken by their families in the Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, their detention was only disclosed by Saudi authorities four days after the arrests. The detainees were allowed to meet their parents only after 55 days of detention. Since their arrests they have been held in solitary confinement without charge or trial or access to legal counsel. The individuals were subjected to severe psychological pressure during interrogations on details of their lives, including their affiliations and beliefs. The investigators also accessed their email accounts. Concern is expressed that the arrest and detention of the eight above mentioned individuals might be connected to the religious beliefs they hold as Shi’a Muslims. Observations 184. The Special Rapporteur regrets that she has not received a reply from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning the above mentioned allegations. She would like to recall that General Assembly resolution 63/181 which urges States to “step up their efforts to protect and promote freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief, and to this end to ensure that no one within their jurisdiction is deprived of the right to life, liberty or security of person because of religion or belief and that no one is subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or arbitrary arrest or detention”. Furthermore, in letters sent to the Government on 28 March 2008 and 28 January 2009, the Special Rapporteur reiterated her wish to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the framework of her mandate. Communication sent on 15 August 2008 jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression 185. The Special Rapporteurs brought to the attention of the Government information they had received concerning the arrest of Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer from the Shi’a community in Ahsa district, Eastern province. On 22 June 2008, Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amer was arrested and detained for a week without charge. The arrest of Sheikh al-Amer was reportedly linked to his criticism of an anti-Shi’a declaration made by 22 Wahhabi clerics, who had stated that Shi’as were “infidels” and “traitors” and a “great threat” to the Sunni majority in Saudi Arabia. In the mosque where he is Imam, Sheikh al-Amer argued on 14 June 2008 that such statements were dangerous to the community and asked the Government to prevent incitement to hatred and discrimination. 186. Furthermore, it has been reported that members of the Shi’a community in Ahsa district face discrimination, for example that they do not get licenses to operate a private school or a kindergarten. In addition, some categories of jobs are allegedly forbidden for Shi’as, such as becoming a minister, government adviser, president of a public company, municipality president, diplomat or official in an Islamic organization financed by the Government. Observations 187. The Special Rapporteur regrets that she has not received a reply from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning the above mentioned allegations. She would like to recall that the General Assembly, in its resolution 63/181, urged States to step up their efforts to eliminate intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, notably by taking all necessary and appropriate action, in conformity with international standards of human rights, to combat hatred, discrimination, intolerance and acts of violence, intimidation and coercion