Saudi activist Manahel al-Otaibi's sentencing to 11 years in prison for her advocacy work and personal freedom has sparked international outrage, shedding light on the ongoing tensions in Saudi Arabia. Al-Otaibi, a fitness instructor and outspoken advocate for women’s empowerment, was arrested in November 2022 under Saudi Arabia's anti-terror laws. Her sentencing, which occurred in a secret hearing before a counter-terrorism court on January 9, has been confirmed by the Saudi government in a statement to the UN Human Rights Commissioner. Al-Otaibi's charges are related to her peaceful activities, such as calling for the end of male guardianship rules and expressing her views online.
Amnesty International and ALQST have strongly criticized the decision, calling for her immediate release. Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International’s campaigner on Saudi Arabia, stated, “With this sentence the Saudi authorities have exposed the hollowness of their much-touted women’s rights reforms in recent years and demonstrated their chilling commitment to silencing peaceful dissent.”
Al-Otaibi's case is particularly ironic, as she was an early supporter of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's reforms, including the relaxation of dress codes for women. In a 2019 interview, she praised the freedom to express opinions and attire choices, attributing it to the Crown Prince’s reforms. However, her arrest contradicts this sentiment. Allegations of severe abuse, including a five-month forced disappearance, solitary confinement, and physical abuse resulting in a broken leg, have been made against Saudi officials, though they deny these claims.
Al-Otaibi's case is not isolated. In recent years, several other Saudi women, including Salma al-Shehab, Fatima al-Shawarbi, Sukaynah al-Aithan, and Nourah al-Qahtani, have received lengthy prison sentences for using social media to express themselves. This crackdown contradicts Saudi Arabia's efforts to present itself as a reforming power, especially in women’s rights. In 2019, the state security agency briefly categorized feminism as a form of “extremist” thinking before retracting the classification due to public backlash.
Despite some easing of restrictions under the male guardianship system, many discriminatory elements persist. The 2022 Personal Status Law, instead of abolishing these aspects, has codified them, particularly regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance.