Wearing Sportswear to Advocate Women's Rights... Saudi Court Sentences Woman in Her 20s to 11 Years in Prison

Human Rights Activist Advocating for Women's Rights Sentenced to Prison
Human Rights Group: "Women's Rights Reform Reveals Emptiness"

A court in Saudi Arabia sentenced a woman human rights activist to 11 years in prison.

On the 1st (local time), British daily The Guardian and others reported that a Saudi court sentenced Manahel Al Otaibi (29) to 11 years in prison on the 30th of last month on charges of terrorism. Otaibi, a fitness instructor and human rights activist, was found guilty of violating Saudi Arabia's anti-terrorism law related to "spreading malicious and false rumors or news online."

[Image source=X (X, formerly Twitter)]

Earlier, Otaibi was arrested in November 2022 for advocating women's rights expansion on social media. She particularly stirred controversy by posting on her social media urging the abolition of the male guardianship system. Currently, Saudi women need the consent of a male guardian to marry or divorce.

Manahel Al Otaibi dressed in sportswear. [Image source=Amnesty International]

She is also accused of not wearing "appropriate clothing." Otaibi posted photos in sportswear on social media, arguing that women should be free to choose their attire. In Saudi Arabia, women traditionally wear the 'abaya,' a garment that covers from neck to ankle. Otaibi's younger sister, Fawz, faced the same charges but escaped Saudi Arabia before being arrested.

The human rights organization Amnesty International called for Otaibi's release, criticizing that it "directly contradicts the authorities' stance on reform and women's empowerment." Bisan Fakhi, Amnesty's Saudi Arabia activist, pointed out, "This ruling reveals the emptiness of the women's rights reforms that have been loudly promoted in recent years by the Saudi authorities," adding, "It shows a chilling determination to silence peaceful dissent."

This is not the first case of a Saudi woman advocating for women's rights being arrested and sentenced to prison. The Guardian reported that Saudi women including Salma Al Shehab, Fatima Al Shawarbi, Sukaina Al Aytan, and Noura Al Qatani were prosecuted on similar charges and sentenced by authorities to prison terms ranging from 27 to 45 years.