Saudi Activist Manahel al-Otaibi Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Advocating Women's Rights

On January 9, 2024, Saudi Arabia's Specialised Criminal Court sentenced women's rights activist Manahel al-Otaibi to 11 years in prison for her advocacy and manner of dress. The 29-year-old fitness instructor's conviction was handed down in a secret hearing and only revealed weeks later following an inquiry by United Nations human rights experts.

Why this matters: This sentence highlights the striking contrast between Saudi Arabia's claims of promoting women's empowerment and its harsh treatment of activists like al-Otaibi, eroding the country's credibility on human rights issues. The case also emphasizes the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, where legal and cultural discrimination persists despite some reforms. This sentence highlights the striking contrast between Saudi Arabia's claims of promoting women's empowerment and its harsh treatment of activists like al-Otaibi, eroding the country's credibility on human rights issues. The case also emphasizes the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, where legal and persistent discrimination persists despite some reforms.

According to human rights groups Amnesty International and ALQST, al-Otaibi was imprisoned for her choice of clothing and social media posts, including using the hashtag "abolish male guardianship" and sharing videos of herself wearing attire deemed "indecent" by Saudi authorities. Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International's campaigner on Saudi Arabia, condemned the sentence, stating, "Manahel's conviction and 11-year sentence is an appalling and cruel injustice. With this sentence, the Saudi authorities have exposed the hollowness of their much-touted women's rights reforms in recent years and demonstrated their chilling commitment to silencing peaceful dissent."

Al-Otaibi was arrested in November 2022 and charged under Saudi Arabia's broad counter-terrorism law, which has been criticized by the United Nations as a tool to stifle dissent. The Saudi mission in Geneva claimed the court found al-Otaibi guilty of legitimate terrorist offenses. However, Lina Alhathloul, head of monitoring and advocacy at ALQST, argued, "Manahel's confidence that she could act with freedom could have been a positive advertisement for Mohammed bin Salman's much-touted narrative of leading women's rights reforms in the country. Instead, by arresting her and now imposing this outrageous sentence on her, the Saudi authorities have once again laid bare the arbitrary and contradictory nature of their so-called reforms and their continuing determination to control Saudi Arabia's women."

Al-Otaibi's case highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, despite some easing of restrictions under the male guardianship system in recent years. While women have gained the right to drive, obtain passports, and travel without male permission, they still face significant legal and cultural discrimination. The 2022 Personal Status Law, touted as a reform, has been criticized for further entrenching male authority over women in matters of marriage, divorce, and child custody.

The harsh sentence against al-Otaibi is part of a broader crackdown on free speech and dissent in Saudi Arabia, particularly targeting online expression. In recent years, Saudi courts have handed down lengthy prison terms to numerous individuals, including women, for their social media posts and activism. Al-Otaibi's sister, Fawzia, who faces similar charges, fled the country in 2022 to escape arrest.

Human rights organizations are calling for al-Otaibi's immediate and unconditional release, arguing that her imprisonment contradicts the Saudi government's claims of promoting women's empowerment and reform. Reports indicate that al-Otaibi faced physical and psychological abuse while detained, including solitary confinement and a broken leg resulting from mistreatment.

Manahel al-Otaibi's case serves as a vivid illustration of the challenges faced by those advocating for change in Saudi Arabia, even while the kingdom seeks to project an image of progress and modernization under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's leadership. As international scrutiny intensifies, the Saudi government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate genuine commitment to human rights and freedom of expression.

Key Takeaways

• Saudi Arabia sentences women's rights activist Manahel al-Otaibi to 11 years in prison.
• Al-Otaibi was convicted for her social media posts and "indecent" clothing.
• The sentence highlights the contrast between Saudi Arabia's claims of promoting women's empowerment and its harsh treatment of activists.
• Al-Otaibi's case emphasizes the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, where legal and cultural discrimination persists.
• Human rights organizations call for al-Otaibi's immediate and unconditional release, citing the sentence as a violation of human rights.