Saudi Arabia's social reforms appear overshadowed by the recent arrests of at least 11 activists (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's cabinet on Tuesday approved a measure criminalising sexual harassment, the state news agency SPA reported, weeks before a decades-old ban on women driving is set to expire.
The legislation, which awaits an expected royal decree to become law, is the latest in a series of reforms that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has initiated in a bid to modernise the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom.
Bin Salman is also trying to diversify the Arab world's largest economy away from oil exports and open up Saudis' cloistered lifestyles by easing strict social rules and promoting entertainment.
The anti-harassment measure, which was approved on Monday by the Shura Council advisory body, introduces a jail sentence of up to five years and a 300,000 riyals ($80,000) fine.
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The draft bill "is a very important addition to the history of regulations in the kingdom", Shura Council member Latifa al-Shaalan was quoted as saying in an information ministry statement.
"It fills a large legislative vacuum, and it is a deterrent," she added.
Last years decision to end the ban on women driving cars, set to take effect on 24 June, has been hailed as proof of a progressive trend in the kingdom.
But the social reforms appear overshadowed by the recent arrests of at least 11 activists, identified by rights groups as mostly veteran women campaigners for the right to drive and to end the conservative country's male guardianship system.
Authorities have accused the activists of "suspicious contact with foreign parties", providing financial support to "enemies" and attempting to undermine the kingdom's "security and stability".
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Reports in state-backed media branded some of the detainees traitors and "agents of embassies".
At least four detained activists were released last week, campaigners including Amnesty International said, but the fate of the others remains unclear.
"Given the significant loosening of certain restrictions on women's activities in Saudi Arabia… it is perplexing why both women and men engaged in campaigning for such positive developments are now being targeted by the authorities," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
"If, as it appears, their detention is related solely to their work as human rights defenders and activists on women's issues, they should be released immediately."
Saudi authorities have so far not commented publicly on the detentions.
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