Saudi Activist Loujain al-Hathloul Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

Saudi Arabian Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul was sentenced to six years in prison for successfully campaigning for the right for women in Saudi Arabia to drive cars.  The Saudi leaders finally lifted the ban in 2018.  Up until then, Saudi Arabia was the only nation in the world that did not allow women to drive.  


Loujain courageously campaigned for women to have this right, and though it was finally won, it came at a very high price.  Loujain was arrested in May of  2018 along with four other Saudi women's rights activits, and she has already spent two years behind bars.  Now, a special Saudi court that is usually reserved for passing sentence on terrorists has officially convicted Loujain al-Hathloul on the following charges:
  • Agitating for Change in Saudi Arabia While Serving a Foreign Agenda
  • Using the Internet to harm Public Order
  • Cooperating with Individuals and Institutions that were involved in Crimes under Anti-Terror Laws.  
Thought the prosecution sought to sentence Loujain to 20 years, the courts sentenced her to six years and ruled that she will be eligible to be released within a few months due to the the fact that she's already served over two years and the court decided to suspend another two years and 10 months from her sentence.  However, if released early, Loujain will still be under prohibition for three years as well a five-year travel ban.  Loujain's family was outraged by this sentence.  They stated that Loujain has already been unjustly imprisoned for two years and subjected to numerous tortures, including solitary confinement, beatings, and electric shocks.  Numerous Human Rights Groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are calling for Loujain's immediate and unconditional release.  

Unfortunately, the fight for women's equality in Saudi Arabia is far from over.  Though the driving ban has been lifted, there are few driving schools in Saudi Arabia that are available for women and women are forced to pay twice as much as men are for driving lessons.  We must not the sacrifices of Loujain and so many other brave Saudi Women be in vain and continue to support them in their fight for justice and equality in their nation.  

Link to Article #2

Link to Article #3

Link to Article #4


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Honor Killing in Chicago

Image
On Jan. 23rd, 2024, 63-year-old Palestinian-Muslim resident Maher Kassem was arrested by the police for murdering his wife Majeda Kassem as well as his three adult daughters.  Police report this to be a clear case of domestic violence while Maher is on record stating that he felt his family didn't appreciate him and treat him in the manner that he deserved to be treated.   "The defendant was recorded volunteering things about having just retired, and that 'She treats me like a [expletive] dog," said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Clark. "'I worked 40 years.' and 'I worked all my life to give my family a better home, and they treat me like  [expletive].'"   A family member of Majeda Kassem said there was constant verbal abuse going on in the home - adding that Kassem's wife contemplated leaving, but stayed for the sake of her children. Maher Kassem Maher Kassem & His Three Daughters Muslim-American activists claim tha...
Read more

Apartheid in the Middle East

Image
THE MIDDLE EAST'S REAL APARTHEID By Efraim Karsh "Israel Apartheid Week his cities and campuses throughout the world.  This charge, of course, is not only completely false, but the inverse of the truth.  If apartheid is indeed a crime against humanity, Israel is actually the only apartheid-free state in the Middle East.  By contrast, apartheid has been an integral part of the Middle East for over a millennium, and the Arab Muslim nations continue to legally, politically, and socially enforce this discriminatory practice against their hapless minorities. Religious Intolerance:  Muslims historically viewed themselves as distinct from, and superior to, all non-Muslims.  Non-Muslims, known in history as "Dhimmis," never enjoyed equal rights under Islam.  Even non-ruling Muslim factions have been historically oppressed by their dominant co-religionists Ethnic inequality:  This legacy of intolerance extends beyond the religious sphere...
Read more

ISIS Terrorists Slaughter Christians in the Congo

Image
For years the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been a region of great instability & violence with a dozen armed groups and over 100 criminal gangs operating in the Eastern region of the DRC alone.  Among those groups is the Allied Democratic Forces, a Jihadists terrorist organization that pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2018.  During the month of June, the group claimed responsibility for attacks that killed over 150 Christian villagers, 38 killed on the 8th of June alone.  The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) recently released images posted by the Allied Democratic Forces on a Telegram account that detailed some of the recent horrific attacks.   Christian Villagers Slaughtered by the ADF Militants These Jihadists Militants, armed with guns & machetes, attacked soldiers and civilians alike.  Images revealed dozens of victims, some of whom were shot while others had their hands tied behind their backs & their throats slashed, clearl...
Read more