A Saudi fitness trainer and influencer, Manahel al-Otaibi, was assaulted in prison after being jailed in January. The question is, what crime did she commit? She supports women’s rights online. In response to this support, the Saudi government sentences her to 100 years in prison for the offence of “terrorist” in a secret trial. This trail has been greatly opposed. It shows that Saudi Arabia’s officials are creating a false image regarding human rights.
Recently, Manahel explored the truth in front of her family. According to her, she was stabbed in the face with a pen in prison. There was an urgent need for stitches, but authorities did nothing. After listening to her, Manahel’s family tried to register the complaint with the Human Rights Commission. But they were ignored.
This highlights that the lives of supporters of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia are not safe. The government punished women, especially those who spoke out against the government. Saudi Arabia claims that the nation is making efforts to improve human rights rules, but the reality is harsh. Women like Manahel face prison and violence for demanding basic rights.
Manahel and her sisters, Maryam and Fawzia, faced severe results just because they raised their voices for women’s rights. They used the hashtag #IAmMyOwnGuardian. Their purpose was to end the rule that required women to take permission from their husbands, brothers, or fathers. According to them, women have the right to marry or travel according to their desires. This movement shows how the male guardianship system limits women’s freedom.
In response, the Saudi government accused Manahel of trying to persuade girls to reject religious beliefs and traditions. This reaction shows that the government fears change and does not want to accept calls for equality. In November 2022, Manahel was arrested for tweeting about women’s rights and sharing pictures where she wasn’t wearing traditional clothing. Her arrest shows how the Saudi government tries to silence people who speak out for women’s empowerment and challenge customs.
Manahel is in Al-Malaz prison in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Guards and other inmates are treated very harshly. She was held alone for almost 5 months, from November 2023 to April 2024. She had no permission to access their family members or contact them. This is one of the cruellest acts by the Saudi government, known as “forcible disappearance.”
Finally, when she was permitted to contact her family, she sounded scared. But she shared her story bravely. Even though he knew the punishment for speaking against the Saudi government. Fawzia, who fled to Bahrain to avoid arrest, believes Manahel is being punished because of her. This highlights that the government knows very well how to control people’s thoughts and keep them silent.
If Manahel’s next call is blocked, it likely means she is being punished for telling the truth. This situation highlights serious human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.
ALQST is a group in Saudi Arabia that keeps an eye on human rights in Saudi Arabia. The leader of ALQST, Lina al-Hathloul, criticized the treatment of Manahel in prison. She said that the Saudi government knows all of the sufferings of Manahel and ignores such abuses and even allows it to happen. It is the responsibility of Saudi officials to stop such actions. However, from day 1, the Saudi government has mistreated people, especially those who spoke out against them. They can also put their lives at risk.
Furthermore, to hide its human rights problems, the Saudi nation used sports and entertainment as a cover. This strategy is known as sportwashing. Due to this, it’s difficult to hold Saudi authorities responsible and to fight for the freedom of prisoners like Manahel. So, leaders across the world must take serious action to solve the human rights problems in Saudi Arabia.