Jailed Saudi Activist Who Rallied for Women to be Allowed to Drive Referred to Terror Court
4 years, 1 month ago

Jailed Saudi Activist Who Rallied for Women to be Allowed to Drive Referred to Terror Court

News 18  

Loujain al-Hathloul, the jailed activist who led the charge to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia, has gone from jailed rights activist to alleged national security threat. Al-Hathloul’s family said the 31-year-old activist’s case was being transferred to the Specialized Criminal Court due to a “lack of jurisdiction” by Riyadh’s criminal court, where her trial had been suspended for months. Al-Hathloul has long been an outspoken defender of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, drawing numerous calls from U.S. lawmakers and others around the world for her unconditional release. When asked about her case last month, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said she and the other women on trial were not detained because of their human rights activity and that they are “charged with serious crimes.” He defended Saudi courts as independent, and said her release is up to the courts, not the government.

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History of this topic

UN report calls on Saudi Arabia to release 2 women jailed over tweets, alleging rights abuses
1 year, 6 months ago

UN report calls on Saudi Arabia to release 2 women jailed over tweets, alleging rights abuses

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.N. human rights experts on Friday called for the release of two Saudi Arabian women they say were arbitrarily detained and denied basic rights after tweeting criticism of the kingdom’s policies. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, a panel of independent experts tasked by the U.N. Human Rights Council with investigating possible violations, said in …

Saudi fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi latest targeted in crackdown on dissent in kingdom
1 year, 7 months ago

Saudi fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi latest targeted in crackdown on dissent in kingdom

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A 29-year-old fitness instructor popular on social media in Saudi Arabia faces charges that could see her imprisoned over her posts, becoming the latest person targeted in a crackdown in the kingdom. The case against Manahel al-Otaibi shows the limits of expression in Saudi Arabia, even for those like al-Otaibi who offer support to Crown …

Salma al-Shehab: UK academics urge government to act over Leeds student jailed in Saudi Arabia
2 years, 3 months ago

Salma al-Shehab: UK academics urge government to act over Leeds student jailed in Saudi Arabia

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hundreds of …

Saudi woman gets 45 years in prison for social media use
2 years, 4 months ago

Saudi woman gets 45 years in prison for social media use

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Saudi court has sentenced a woman to 45 years in prison for allegedly damaging the country through her social media activity, according to a court document obtained Wednesday. An official charge sheet seen by The Associated Press and human rights groups describes her case as involving her social media use, though Saudi officials did …

Saudi woman sentenced to 45 years in prison for social media use
2 years, 4 months ago

Saudi woman sentenced to 45 years in prison for social media use

LA Times  

The government of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has cracked down on women’s rights activists while making a few concessions, such as allowing women to drive. A Saudi court has sentenced a woman to 45 years in prison for allegedly damaging the country through her social media activity, according to a court document obtained Wednesday. An official charge sheet …

U.S. raised concerns to Saudi Arabia over activist's sentencing
2 years, 4 months ago

U.S. raised concerns to Saudi Arabia over activist's sentencing

The Hindu  

The United States has raised "significant concerns" with Saudi Arabia over a 34-year prison sentence imposed on women's rights activist Salma al-Shehab, the State Department said on Monday. "We have raised our significant concerns with Saudi authorities," State Department spokesman Ned Price said of the sentence given to the Saudi woman for following and retweeting dissidents and activists on Twitter. …

Saudi Arabian dissidents ‘being sexually assaulted and murdered’ in prison
2 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabian dissidents ‘being sexually assaulted and murdered’ in prison

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Prisoners held for opposing the government in Saudi Arabia are being murdered, …

Two Saudi women's rights activists released from prison
3 years, 6 months ago

Two Saudi women's rights activists released from prison

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two Saudi women’s rights campaigners …

Saudi court denies activist’s appeal, upholds her travel ban
3 years, 10 months ago

Saudi court denies activist’s appeal, upholds her travel ban

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Loujain al-Hathloul whose 1001-day detention drew fierce international criticism of the kingdom’s human rights …

Saudi court upholds activist al-Hathloul’s sentence at hearing
3 years, 10 months ago

Saudi court upholds activist al-Hathloul’s sentence at hearing

Al Jazeera  

Rights activist al-Hathloul, who was released in February after three years in prison, appeared at an appeal hearing. A Saudi court has upheld the original sentence of women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who had championed women’s right to drive and for an end to Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship system. Walking to the court on Wednesday morning before the appeals hearing, …

Who is Loujain al-Hathloul, the Activist Who Fought for Women's Driving Rights in Saudi Arabia
3 years, 10 months ago

Who is Loujain al-Hathloul, the Activist Who Fought for Women's Driving Rights in Saudi Arabia

News 18  

After spending almost three years behind bars, prominent women’s rights activist from Saudi Loujain al-Hathloul was released, her family confirmed earlier this week. The first vote in Saudi’s local elections to include women in 2015 saw Hathloul applying to contest, but Amnesty International said Hathloul’s name was barred. Hathloul’s family has said US President Joe Biden’s election win helped secure …

Saudi Woman Activist Loujain al-Hathloul's Family Credits Joe Biden For Her Release
3 years, 10 months ago

Saudi Woman Activist Loujain al-Hathloul's Family Credits Joe Biden For Her Release

News 18  

The family of Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul said Thursday US President Joe Biden’s election win helped secure her release after nearly three years’ imprisonment, but cautioned she was still far from free. “Biden’s arrival helped and contributed a lot in my sister’s release.” Saudi Arabia, which has detained hundreds of activists, clerics as well as royal family members over the …

‘Loujain is not free’: Family of Saudi women’s rights activist vow to get ‘real justice’ after her release
3 years, 10 months ago

‘Loujain is not free’: Family of Saudi women’s rights activist vow to get ‘real justice’ after her release

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The family of prominent Saudi …

Saudi women empowerment ‘a lie’, say siblings of Loujain al-Hathloul a day after her release
3 years, 10 months ago

Saudi women empowerment ‘a lie’, say siblings of Loujain al-Hathloul a day after her release

CNN  

CNN — The family of Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul issued a scathing rebuke to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a press conference Thursday, a day after the women’s rights defender was released from prison. “We really see that women empowerment is a lie in Saudi Arabia, that there are no real reforms,” said Brussels-based Lina al-Hathloul, who was a …

Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from jail
3 years, 10 months ago

Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from jail

ABC  

Prominent women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has been released from a Saudi prison nearly three years after being arrested on charges that have drawn international condemnation. Key points: Loujain al-Hathloul still faces a five-year travel ban ordered by the court Saudi authorities deny they subjected the 31-year-old to electric shocks, waterboarding, flogging and sexual assault US National Security Adviser Jake …

Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist released from prison
3 years, 10 months ago

Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist released from prison

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — One of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent political activists was released from prison Wednesday, her family said, after serving nearly three years on charges that sparked an international uproar over the kingdom’s human rights record. “She was a powerful activist for women’s rights and releasing her was the right thing to do.” Biden had labeled Saudi …

Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison
3 years, 11 months ago

Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison

Al Jazeera  

Prominent women’s rights activist, who campaigned for women’s right to drive and to end kingdom’s male guardianship system, spent more than 1,000 days in prison. Prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul has been released from a Saudi prison after nearly three years behind bars, according to her family. تم الافراج عن لجين pic.twitter.com/fqug9VK6Mj — Lina Alhathloul لينا الهذلول February 10, …

Loujain al-Hathloul | The activist behind bars
4 years ago

Loujain al-Hathloul | The activist behind bars

The Hindu  

My sister is not a terrorist, she is an activist, said Lina al-Hathloul, sister of Loujain al-Hathloul, the Saudi human rights activist who was sentenced to prison by an anti-terrorism court on Monday. Ms. Loujain’s case was transferred to an anti-terrorism court in November last year, and on Monday, the judge found her guilty of various charges including trying to …

Women activists, political prisoners ‘sexually assaulted, tortured and executed in Saudi Arabia’ jails
4 years, 1 month ago

Women activists, political prisoners ‘sexually assaulted, tortured and executed in Saudi Arabia’ jails

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jailed women’s rights activists and political prisoners have been sexually assaulted, tortured …

‘Alarming’: UN experts worried by health of jailed Saudi activist
4 years, 2 months ago

‘Alarming’: UN experts worried by health of jailed Saudi activist

Al Jazeera  

Al-Hathloul, arrested in 2018, has been on hunger strike for a week over conditions of her prolonged detention. The health status of jailed Saudi women’s right activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who has been on hunger strike since last week, is rapidly worsening, UN experts said, calling for her “immediate” release. The committee, made up of 23 independent experts, also voiced serious …

Sister of Saudi women’s rights activist fears she is being tortured, as she hasn’t been heard from in months
4 years, 4 months ago

Sister of Saudi women’s rights activist fears she is being tortured, as she hasn’t been heard from in months

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The sister of a prominent jailed Saudi women’s rights campaigner has raised …

Sister of jailed Saudi women’s rights activist says she is forced to endure ‘emotional rollercoaster’ due to authorites’ silence
5 years, 3 months ago

Sister of jailed Saudi women’s rights activist says she is forced to endure ‘emotional rollercoaster’ due to authorites’ silence

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The sister of a prominent Saudi women’s rights campaigner who has allegedly …

Saudi court postpones hearing for women activists
5 years, 8 months ago

Saudi court postpones hearing for women activists

Al Jazeera  

A court official informed some of the women’s relatives that the session would not take place on Wednesday as expected. A Saudi court has postponed a fourth hearing in the trial of several women rights activists, a case that has intensified Western criticism of Saudi Arabia. A court official informed some of the women’s relatives that the session would not …

Saudi Arabia temporarily releases three women activists
5 years, 9 months ago

Saudi Arabia temporarily releases three women activists

CNN  

CNN — Saudi Arabia temporarily released three of the 11 women activists standing trial for charges related to their human rights work, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday. While Saudi Arabia has not made the charges against any of the women public, Human Rights Watch reported in mid-March that they appeared to be “almost entirely related to their human …

Saudi cites UN job application as evidence against activist Loujain al-Hathloul
5 years, 9 months ago

Saudi cites UN job application as evidence against activist Loujain al-Hathloul

CNN  

CNN — A prominent Saudi activist’s admission that she once applied for a job at the United Nations is being used as part of the kingdom’s case against her, CNN has learned. Saudi Arabia has not publicly released the charges against women’s rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul, or several other prominent female activists who are currently on trial in Riyadh on …

Detained Saudi women’s rights activists tell judges of abuse
5 years, 9 months ago

Detained Saudi women’s rights activists tell judges of abuse

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Nearly a dozen Saudi women’s rights activists seated before a three-judge panel in a Riyadh courtroom Wednesday laid out their defense and spoke of physical and sexual abuse they say they were subjected to by masked interrogators, according to people with knowledge of the case. Several people with knowledge of the cases say charges against …

Brother of Saudi women’s rights activist ‘being tortured in prison’ fears her treatment is getting worse
5 years, 9 months ago

Brother of Saudi women’s rights activist ‘being tortured in prison’ fears her treatment is getting worse

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “I would love to go back and contribute to the country but why would I go …

Saudi women’s rights campaigner who has been ‘tortured and sexually harassed in prison’ goes on trial
5 years, 9 months ago

Saudi women’s rights campaigner who has been ‘tortured and sexually harassed in prison’ goes on trial

The Independent  

Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A leading Saudi women’s rights campaigner who has allegedly been tortured and …

Detained Saudi women’s rights activists brought to court
5 years, 9 months ago

Detained Saudi women’s rights activists brought to court

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia appeared in a closed-door court hearing Wednesday on unknown charges after being detained in a crackdown last year, making their first appearance before a judge in a case that has sparked international outrage. The arrests came just before Saudi Arabia began allowing women to drive, something women’s rights activists …

Jailed Saudi women activists, who complained of custodial torture, to now face trial for 'national security violations'
5 years, 10 months ago

Jailed Saudi women activists, who complained of custodial torture, to now face trial for 'national security violations'

Firstpost  

Several people with knowledge of their arrest said that some of the women’s rights activists who were detained have been subjected to caning, electrocution and others were also sexually assaulted. Dubai: Prosecutors in Saudi Arabia have referred detained women’s rights activists to trial, saying those charged “enjoy all rights preserved by the laws in the kingdom” after them being reportedly …

Jailed women’s rights activists to face trial in Saudi Arabia
5 years, 10 months ago

Jailed women’s rights activists to face trial in Saudi Arabia

Al Jazeera  

Detainees ‘enjoy all rights preserved by the laws’, prosecutor’s office says, after reports of torture in custody. Saudi Arabia‘s public prosecution office has referred detained women’s rights activists to trial, saying those charged “enjoy all rights preserved by the laws in the kingdom” after they were reportedly tortured in custody. The Saudi government has rejected the allegation with Friday’s statement …

Saudi women’s rights activist is being tortured in ‘palace of terror,’ brother says
5 years, 11 months ago

Saudi women’s rights activist is being tortured in ‘palace of terror,’ brother says

CNN  

CNN — The brother of jailed Saudi activist Loujain Alhathloul has detailed in a CNN opinion piece the abuse his sister has allegedly endured in prison. In the article, Walid Alhathloul writes that during a recent visit by his parents to see Loujain she told them she was regularly whipped, beaten, electrocuted and sexually harassed in a basement she called …

While my sister is in a Saudi jail, Mariah Carey could use her voice to help her
5 years, 11 months ago

While my sister is in a Saudi jail, Mariah Carey could use her voice to help her

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Walid Alhathloul is the brother of jailed Saudi women’s rights defender Loujain Alhathloul. The Saudi government says she and other women’s rights defenders were accused of “suspicious contact with foreign entities.” The Saudi government also denies allegations of torture, saying it does not “condone, promote, or allow the use of torture.” The Saudi government did not respond to …

British MPs, lawyers request access to ‘tortured’ Saudi activists
5 years, 11 months ago

British MPs, lawyers request access to ‘tortured’ Saudi activists

Al Jazeera  

Detention review panel says it remains committed to seeing eight female activists held at a jail in Jeddah since May. A cross-party group of British politicians and international lawyers has said it remains committed to visiting eight female activists in Saudi Arabia, some of whom were jailed and allegedly subjected to torture after campaigning for the right for women to …

Rahaf al-Qunun’s refugee status is great news, but we're in danger of settling for one happy ending
5 years, 11 months ago

Rahaf al-Qunun’s refugee status is great news, but we're in danger of settling for one happy ending

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Despite attempts …

Rahaf Alqunun case could increase risks to women in repressive countries, human rights activists fear
6 years ago

Rahaf Alqunun case could increase risks to women in repressive countries, human rights activists fear

ABC  

Lawyers and activists are warning the high-profile case of Saudi Arabian teenager Rahaf Alqunun could increase the risks faced by women in repressive countries, even as it inspires more to make attempts to escape. Key points: Some fear Ms Alqunun's case may lead to tighter surveillance of young women Activists say the case has put more pressure on repressive governments …

Story of disappeared Saudi power couple spotlights dissident crackdown
6 years ago

Story of disappeared Saudi power couple spotlights dissident crackdown

CNN  

CNN — A stand-up comedian and women’s right-to-drive activist, Fahad al-Butairi and Loujain al-Hathloul, were once seen as a groundbreaking Saudi power couple in a country that was rapidly relaxing its strict social rules. “I’d like to see what they could do in this world, if they were given the chance,” adding, “I’d like to have that dinner with them …

18-year-old Saudi woman, 'held' at Bangkok airport, sends out desperate tweets seeking asylum, protesting deportation
6 years ago

18-year-old Saudi woman, 'held' at Bangkok airport, sends out desperate tweets seeking asylum, protesting deportation

Firstpost  

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said that Saudi woman Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun should be allowed by Thailand to see the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and apply for asylum. A senior Thai immigration official said on Sunday that Qunun was denied entry because she lacked “further documents such as return ticket or money” and Thailand had contacted the …

Saudi woman runaway held in Thailand while fleeing family
6 years ago

Saudi woman runaway held in Thailand while fleeing family

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — A Saudi woman used social media to draw attention to her plight trying to flee her family, claiming that authorities in Thailand confiscated her passport and were holding her Sunday at an airport hotel room in Bangkok. Alqunun told Human Rights Watch that she arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok Saturday evening from Kuwait, but that a diplomat …

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