Saudi Arabia: CFWIJ Condemns The Persistent Legal Harassment Against Loujain Al-Hathloul
Location: Saudi Arabia
Date: May 12, 2021
Prominent Saudi human rights activist and journalist Loujain Al-Hathoul appeared in the Saudi supreme court on Sunday, May 10. According to Loujain's relatives, the court upheld the initial verdict, affirming the terrorist charges against her. The journalist was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison, including the two and a half years she already spent in jail. Lina Al-Hathoul, Loujain's sister, shared that the journalist was called to the Interior Ministry General Directorate of Investigation in Riyadh and informed that the supreme court upheld the earlier verdict of the appellate court regarding her conviction.
Loujain’s conditional release stipulates a five-year travel ban and a three-year probationary period. Many Saudi prisoners are forced to sign controversial declarations before they are released, promising that they will stop posting dissenting opinions and criticism on social media. These journalists are often summoned for routine questioning during their probation. CFWIJ demands the Kingdom end the judicial harassment against Loujain and let her live freely.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Loujain’s relatives confirmed she was called by the security officials and informed about the supreme court decision to uphold the initial conviction. The sentence against Loujain was confirmed on March 10, and she was charged with terrorist activities. The journalist was hoping for some relief from the court after her release on bail. She appealed her conviction to the Supreme court, though the decision remained unchanged. Loujain was taken into custody in May 2018 and was found guilty of receiving international funding to support and establish foreign agendas. The baseless claims hold no truth, suggesting that the Kingdom targeted Loujain because of her continued fight for women's rights in the country. The activist was sentenced to five years and eight months imprisonment, including the two and half years she spent as probation period during the jail time.
The journalist was subjected to physical torture and harassment during her jail time. Reportedly she was mistreated on the direct order of Saud al-Qahtani, a trusted associate of Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Before her formal arrest, Loujain was placed in solitary confinement and had no contact with family or her lawyer. The journalist protested her mistreatment in jail by beginning a hunger strike. She was weak and fragile when she appeared in court during her hearing. Despite her release on February 19, after over three years in Saudi prison, Loujain continues to be tormented by the authorities.
The journalist’s sentence was reduced after increasing international pressure. She was finally released on February 19, earlier than expected. Her release is still conditional, and it prohibits Loujain from continuing her advocacy work and moving abroad for at least five years.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism, once again, demands Saudi judicial authorities end the relentless harassment against Loujain Al-Hathloul. We believe she should be free, without restrictions, and able to live without the fear of persecution.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.