In Al-Hayer high-security prison, located twenty-five kilometers south of Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, today languishes one of the most famous political prisoners in the world. Her name is Loujain Al-Hathloul. She is 31 years old, feminist, educated, polyglot.
For millions of Internet users who have followed her Tweet, messages and facetious videos posted on social networks for several years, she personifies the peaceful struggle of Saudi women for the right to drive. But, beyond this right, much more than symbolic, it also embodies the audacity, humor, freedom and the mad hope of emancipation of women in an archaic and hopelessly frozen society. In short, an iconic role, in other words an unbearable status for the Saudi regime which, for two and a half years, has kept her locked behind bars, without the slightest judgment. Most often in isolation.
Petitions from around the world
Alarmed by the news of the state of health of the young woman who, since October 26, continues a hunger strike, many human rights organizations are increasing the calls for her immediate release. Messages, petitions, open letters are popping up from all over the world, including mayors of major cities (Paris, London, Los Angeles, New York), the European Parliament and, more recently, the UN Women’s Rights Committee, particularly worried about his fate.
A campaign and a calendar could not be more annoying for Saudi Arabia, which hoped to take advantage of its presidency of the next G20 summit (November 21 and 22) to shine on the international scene, restore a blazon tarnished by the Jamal affair Khashoggi and promote “New Arabia” dear to Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman (“MBS”). An Arabia “Open”, “modern”, “kind to women”… Missed.
“Down with the masks and hypocrisy of this barbaric regime! Down with the powder in the eyes of the West to attract its good graces!, exclaims Safa Al-Ahmad, director of the London-based NGO ALQST which documents human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. How can we still be fooled? The fate reserved for Loujain, as for several feminists, testifies to the real nature of the regime. Foreign journalists are invited at great expense to admire the country’s so-called modernity, and local journalists, bloggers and any inner voice are muzzled. We roll out the red carpet for an American singer, but we accuse a Saudi activist of treason and throw it in jail. “MBS” is hugging the West, but more than ever he is instigating a regime of terror at home. “
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