The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) has received disturbing news about further attacks against Saudi women’s rights activist Manahel Al-Otaibi in prison. On 09 January 2024, Al-Otaibi was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a secret hearing before the Specialised Criminal Court as a result of her women’s rights activism online and for wearing “indecent” clothes.
According to her family, Al-Otaibi has been subjected to sexual harassment and various forms of abuse while in detention. On 29 September 2024, she contacted her family and told them she was attacked in the face and received stitches for the wound two weeks previously. She said that a fellow inmate whom she does not know attacked her with a sharp pen. After the attack, Al-Otaibi was held in solitary confinement.
GCHR had previously documented on 12 August 2024 information on the harassment and violence that Al-Otaibi is being subjected to in prison.
Recommendations:
- GCHR reiterates its previous calls on the Saudi authorities to respect the rights of women to freely express their opinions online and engage in community campaigns for more rights and freedoms.
- GCHR also calls on the authorities to prevent the abuse of imprisoned human rights defenders, including Manahel Al-Otaibi, and investigate previous cases in a transparent manner and hold the officials involved accountable, to protect due process and the rule of law; and
- Immediately and unconditionally release Manahel Al-Otaibi.
