Saudi Arabia releases two women’s rights activists detained for nearly three years

By Deputy Chief EditorJune 29, 2021

250 1 minute read

sbs– Saudi Arabia has released two prominent women’s rights activists detained nearly three years ago, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights says.

Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah may be out of custody but their movement and activities remain severely restricted. Neither are allowed to leave the ultra-conservative kingdom, post on social media or accept any work.

Ms Al-Sadah had worked as a journalist for the online newspaper Juhaina.

She was arrested in 2018 on charges of communicating with groups abroad that are hostile to Saudi Arabia, among other accusations.

Ms Badawi gained attention when she challenged the male guardianship system by filing a lawsuit against her father in 2010, leading to her temporary arrest.

She later sued the traffic authorities for rejecting her driving licence application.

In 2018, the year the driving ban was lifted, security forces arrested Ms Badawi again.

Despite some relaxation in social life, the Saudi government under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues to crack down on critics and human rights activists with extreme severity.

Among them is the women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who had also fought for an end to the ban on women driving.

Ms al-Hathloul was released in February after 1000 days in detention but supporters say she can be arrested again for any act considered illegal.