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We’re overjoyed to share that after four years of unjust imprisonment on bogus “terrorism-related charges” simply for tweeting in support of women’s rights, Salma al-Shehab has finally been released from prison in Saudi Arabia.
Salma endured repeated abuses at the hands of Saudi authorities, including 300 days in solitary confinement, denial of access to a lawyer, and at one point, she was handed an absurd 34-year prison sentence. While we’re relieved that she has finally been freed from Saudi prison and reunited with her children, Saudi authorities must now ensure she is not subjected to a travel ban or any other measures to silence her free speech.
Since we launched our campaign last year to support those unjustly detained in Saudi Arabia solely for expressing themselves and advocating for human rights, thousands of you have taken action showing incredible support and solidarity. Whether you signed the petition that reached 100,000 signatures, shared social media posts, or joined in protests to demand their immediate and unconditioned release.
You made sure that Saudi human rights defenders were not campaigning alone – and your voices made a difference.
Salma’s release was part of a wave of releases of online expression detainees in Saudi Arabia this year. While we celebrate this hard-won victory, our thoughts are also with the others who remain unjustly detained for expressing their views online and those who have been released but remain subject to travel bans.
We will not rest until they are all free, including Manahel al-Otaibi, serving 11 years for social media posts on women’s rights, Mohammed al-Ghamdi serving 30 years in prison for tweets critical of authorities, and Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, jailed for 20 years for satirical tweets.
No one should be punished for expressing their opinions. Saudi authorities must immediately release them.
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