An anti-government protest rally in the eastern province of Qatif in Saudi Arabia (file photo)
Saudi activists have established a political group to launch a peaceful campaign for asserting the rights of citizens living in the eastern parts of the Persian Gulf kingdom.
The group, named “Change and Progress Society”, will be headed by Saudi prominent author Ahmad Mohammad al-Rebh from the eastern province of Qatif.
Rebh insisted that the group is part of the Saudi society and will conduct its activities based on that principle.
Saudi Arabia's east has been the scene of protests over the past months and authorities have arrested scores of people, including bloggers and writers for taking part in anti-government demonstrations.
According to Human Rights Watch, more than 160 dissidents have been arrested since February in Saudi crackdowns on anti-government protesters.
According to the Saudi-based Human Rights First Society (HRFS), detainees have been subject to both physical and mental torture.