Saudis call for release of female prisoners

Saudi protesters staged separate rallies in the cities of Riyadh and Mecca to voice support for female political activists held in Saudi jails. The demonstrators on Tuesday also demanded the release of the prisoners, saying they will continue their gatherings until the inmates are freed, Al-Alam reported. In the capital city of Riyadh, the protesters blamed the government for arresting young people on "religious excuses" and spoiling their lives by unfounded accusations. In Mecca, people shouted slogans against Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Naif and condemned scholars’ silence on regime’s unjustified acts against political and social protests. The Ummah Islamic Party of Saudi Arabia issued a statement on Tuesday, calling for political changes in the country. The statement said that people will continue their protests until their demands are met by Al Saud regime. "Saudi Arabia is experiencing the worst political and economic failures ever and the solution to these problems is making changes in favor of people’s interests," the opposition political party said in the statement. The Umma Islamic Party that was formed on 10 February 2011 in response to the Arab Spring. The party, which is pro-reform group, demands an end to absolute monarchy in the country. Anti-government protests have intensified since November 2011, when security forces opened fire on protestors in Qatif region of Eastern Province, killing five people and leaving scores more injured. Activists say there are over 40,000 political prisoners in Saudi Arabia, many of them being held without trial or charges. In October 2012, Amnesty International called on the Saudi authorities to stop using excessive force against pro-democracy protestors.