According to the United Nations, since May 2018, almost 2 dozen Saudi Arabian women activists have been imprisoned within Saudi Arabia, including leading members of the country’s women’s political movement.
The EU Commission on Human Rights has issued formal requested that Saudi Arabia’s government release details of charges facing the jailed women political activists,and also allow them Due Process to defend themselves as prescribed by law.
SEEKS CLARIFICATION
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini gave comment upon Saudi Arabia’s imprisonment of activists, saying “The EU has been engaging constructively with the Saudi authorities seeking clarification on the circumstances surrounding the arrests of women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia, notably with regard to the specific accusations brought against them.’ –
“We’ve been emphasizing the relevance of the role of human rights defenders & civil society groups in the process of reform which the Kingdom is pursuing, as well as the importance of respecting the rules of due process,” said Mogherini.
1,000 LASHES
August 6th, Saudi Arabia demanded that the Canadian Ambassador leave Saudi Arabia after Canada criticized the Saudi arrest of the women activists. Retorting,the Saudi Foreign Ministry said it would freeze ‘all new business’ between Saudi Arabia & Canada.
Among those arrested is Samar Badawi, sister of Raif Badawi who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and sentenced to one thousand lashes & 10 years prison for critical proclamations against Saudi clerics. Raif’s wife lives in Canada.
DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Saudi detention of women activists has triggered a major diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia & Canada after Canadian demand of immediate release for the jailed activists being held for suspicion of “cooperating with enemies of the country.”
Norway’s foreign minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H) has repeatedly criticized Saudi Arabia’s questionable human-rights, including this recent imprisonment of Saudi women activists.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
