In a poignant display of defiance, Lina al-Hathloul’s virtual participation at the Saudi-hosted UN forum represents both a challenge to the restrictive narrative surrounding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a stark reminder of the heavy toll on dissenters. Her empty chair, a haunting symbol of absence and repression, echoes the struggles faced not only by her sister, Loujain, but by countless others behind bars in the kingdom. Despite Saudi efforts to project a progressive image, the oppressive reality remains palpable, with the looming specter of surveillance and imprisonment silencing those who dare to speak out.
Lina al-Hathloul’s Virtual Address: A Call Against the Silencing of Dissent in Saudi Arabia
