After enduring an agonizing four-year imprisonment, Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi woman jailed for her tweets advocating women’s rights, has finally been released. Amnesty International’s Dana Ahmed praised this significant moment, highlighting the extensive injustices Salma faced, including an initial brutal sentence of 34 years and nearly a whole year in solitary confinement. All of this arose from her simple act of sharing supportive messages for women activists on social media, deemed a threat by Saudi authorities.
The moment is bittersweet; while Salma’s freedom is celebrated, it casts a spotlight on numerous others in Saudi Arabia who still serve long sentences for similar online activism. Ahmed pointed to cases like Manahel al-Otaibi and Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, all victims of the kingdom’s severe crackdown on freedom of speech. The call to action is urgent: the Saudi government must recognize and respect fundamental rights and liberate these voices still silenced.
Salma, a 36-year-old mother and PhD student at Leeds University, was detained after expressing her views on Twitter. Initially sentenced to six years in a March 2022 ruling, her punishment escalated dramatically when prosecutors sought a harsher penalty, culminating in a staggering 34-year term. After a series of appeals, her sentence was finally reduced significantly, allowing for her release at the end of 2024.
Salma al-Shehab, imprisoned for over four years for advocating women’s rights on social media, has been released following a series of unjust legal battles. Amnesty International’s Dana Ahmed highlighted the harsh conditions she endured, as well as the plight of other activists still jailed. Salma’s case emphasizes the ongoing need for reforms in Saudi Arabia concerning freedom of expression and human rights.
Salma al-Shehab’s release marks a pivotal victory in the fight for women’s rights and free speech in Saudi Arabia. Although her ordeal ended, the struggle continues for many activists still facing severe sentences for their words. This moment not only celebrates Salma’s newfound freedom but also amplifies the urgent need for the Saudi authorities to end their oppressive tactics and free those who stand for justice.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
