Following his arrest, which coincided with World Human Rights Day on 10 December 2010, Alkarama issued an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, and the Working Group for Arbitrary Detention, asking the UN bodies to urgently intervene with the Saudi authorities to secure Dr. Muhammad Abdulkarim's release. Throughout his detention, the Saudi authorities failed to inform him of the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him. Furthermore, he was denied access to legal counsel.

Alkarama welcomes his release, and is closely following the Saudi authorities continued violations of human rights. The arbitrary detention of human rights activists is commonplace in Saudi Arbia and all the while the regime continues to repress demands for political, social, and economic reforms in the Kingdom.