The movement issued a statement on Saturday urging people to stage cross-country rallies on October 18 to demand their omitted rights and make a bright future for their country.

“We hold protests to say ‘No’ to tyranny, oppression, thieving public wealth, suppressing human values and detaining tens of civilian activists for decades without any trials,” the movement said.

Addressing “courtier clerics” the movement said, “People have the right to specifically reach their voices to authorities, and make them aware of their corruption.

“Holding protest rallies is a legitimate right and is one of the basics of the civil life,” the statement said adding that people should know those who tried to dismiss protests based on their own versions of religious regulations, are trying to mislead them.

The opposition movement stressed that the aforementioned protest rallies will be held in 14 cities across the country. The exact venues and time of the protest will be announced in future statements.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

More than 40,000 political prisoners, mostly prisoners of conscience, are in jails across Saudi Arabia.

According to Saudi activists, most of the detained political thinkers are being held by the government without trial or legitimate charges and have been arrested for merely looking suspicious.

NTJ/SHI