Several human rights organizations and Islamic institutions have launched a hashtag campaign called "Hajj is not safe" to draw attention to what they claim are violations and abuses committed by Saudi authorities against pilgrims and visitors performing Hajj and Umrah.

Sanad Human Rights Organisation, a group that defends political and civil rights in the kingdom and monitors and exposes human rights violations, organized the campaign.

In a statement published on Thursday, the organization explained that the campaign was started in response to the "repeated and ongoing violations perpetrated by Saudi authorities" who they accuse of luring pilgrims by granting them Hajj and Umrah visas, only for them to be arrested, imprisoned or deported to other countries where their lives and freedom are at risk.

#Sanad, in collaboration with a number of #HumanRights organizations and Islamic institutions, launches the #HajjIsNotSafe campaign to expose violations of the #Saudi regime against pilgrims and visitors of the holy sanctities, and to demand an end to these violations.#Hajj2022 pic.twitter.com/2xDyan2xRf

— SANAD Organisation (@SANAD_en) June 16, 2022

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The Saudi authorities are accused of using Hajj and Umrah to "repress dissidents," according to the statement.

"The Saudi government adamantly and repeatedly politicizes the Two Holy Mosques of Makkah and Medina, and made Hajj and Umrah a tool of repression, a means of eliminating opponents, and a way of supporting some authoritarian regimes," it added.

Sanad released its annual human rights report for 2021 last month, shedding light on the continued violations of human rights despite numerous warnings from international rights organizations.

"The incessant heinous practices of human rights violations and the continued policy of arbitrary detention enforced disappearance and brutal torture inside prisons confirms that the Saudi regime is adamant to continue to pursue these policies in managing the country," the report said.

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