Saudi Women's Rights Activist Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

 

Human rights groups are calling for the immediate release of Manahel al-Otaibi, a 29-year-old Saudi women's rights activist, who has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for her activism and dress. Al-Otaibi, a fitness instructor, was arrested in November 2022 and sentenced in a secret hearing in January 2024.

According to Amnesty International and ALQST, a London-based Saudi rights organization, al-Otaibi's charges are related to her online expression, including calling for an end to Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system and publishing videos of herself wearing "indecent clothes." Her sister, Fawzia al-Otaibi, faces similar charges but was able to flee Saudi Arabia after being summoned for questioning in 2022.

The sentencing of al-Otaibi has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who say it contradicts the Saudi authorities' narrative of reform and women's empowerment. Amnesty International's Campaigner on Saudi Arabia, Bissan Fakih, described the sentence as "an appalling and cruel injustice" that exposes the hollowness of Saudi Arabia's women's rights reforms.

Al-Otaibi has been subjected to physical and psychological abuse in prison, including being held in solitary confinement and suffering a broken leg as a result of physical abuse. Her family has been unable to visit her, and her lawyers have been denied access to her case files.

Saudi Arabia's authorities have been accused of intensifying their crackdown on free speech, including online expression. Over the last two years, Saudi courts have handed down lengthy prison terms on dozens of individuals for their expression on social media, including many women.

Despite some reforms aimed at improving women's rights, many discriminatory features remain in place. The 2022 Personal Status Law, which was supposed to be a major reform, has been criticized for codifying rather than abolishing many restrictive elements of the male guardianship system.

Al-Otaibi's case has highlighted the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Saudi Arabia and the need for international pressure to secure her release and protect the rights of all Saudi women.