After almost three years in prison, Saudi feminist activist Loujain Al-Hathloul has been released, her family announced on Wednesday (February 10th). “Loujain is at home after 1,001 days in prison”, rejoiced on Twitter his sister Lina Al-Hathloul.
The @LoujainHathloul at home after 1001 days in prison https://t.co/SIm274rAEw
Loujain Al-Hathloul, 31, was sentenced on December 29 to five years and eight months in prison after being convicted of “Various activities prohibited by the anti-terrorism law”, according to local media. The sentence included a suspension of two years and ten months “Provided that she does not commit a new crime within three years”, and her family were hopeful that she would be released by March.
Hunger strike in 2020
A graduate of the Canadian University of British Columbia (UBC), she was arrested, along with other activists, in May 2018, shortly before the lifting of the ban on driving made to Saudi women, for “Attempt to destabilize the kingdom”. The Saudi press had described these activists as “Traitors”, for having maintained contacts with foreign diplomats and NGOs.
This Saudi woman familiar with social networks had already been arrested in late 2014 and taken into custody for trying to enter Saudi Arabia driving a car from the United Arab Emirates. She had left it seventy-three days later, after an international campaign.
M’s familyme Hathloul claims that she was the victim of sexual harassment and torture in detention. The activist said, according to her family, that the former royal adviser, Saoud Al-Qahtani, threatened to rape and kill her, which the authorities vigorously deny. In 2020, she went on a hunger strike after being denied the right to call or meet relatives for months, according to those around her. She had ended it after her parents were finally able to visit her.
“The release of Loujain Al-Hathloul after a terrible ordeal in prison in Saudi Arabia, which lasted almost three years, is an incredible relief”, said Lynn Maalouf of Amnesty International. “Nothing can make up for the cruel treatment she suffered, nor the injustice of her imprisonment”, according to the NGO.
Paris and Washington welcome his release
“I welcome the release of Loujain Al-Hathloul and share the relief of his family”, for his part tweeted Emmanuel Macron, who criticized her imprisonment and strongly called for her release on March 8, 2019. The United States, meanwhile, welcomed the release of the young woman, stressing that she should never have been imprisoned. “It is certain that his release is a welcome step, said the spokesperson for the US Secretary of State, Ned Price. Promoting women’s rights and other human rights should never be criminalized. “She was a major activist for women’s rights and freeing her was the right thing to do”, also declared the American president, Joe Biden.
The activist’s release comes at a time when Saudi Arabia fears its relations with the United States will change. Joe Biden has indeed promised to reassess the US-Saudi partnership and to defend human rights and democratic principles. During his presidential campaign, Biden vowed to reverse former President Donald Trump’s policy, which he said was to give to Saudi Arabia “A blank check to pursue a set of disastrous policies”, including the crackdown on feminist activists.
