In a concerning development that highlights the severe erosion of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, the Washington Center for Human Rights condemns the recent sentencing of 18-year-old Manal al-Gafiri to 18 years in jail and a travel ban. Her alleged crime? Posting tweets in support of political prisoners. This shocking violation of basic human rights underscores the alarming trend of suppressing dissent and stifling freedom of speech in the kingdom.
The Case of Manal al-Gafiri
On a fateful day in August, the Saudi Specialized Criminal Court handed down an excessively harsh sentence to Manal al-Gafiri, a secondary schoolgirl who was just 17 years old at the time of her arrest. The charges against her revolved around her social media activities, where she expressed support for political prisoners. This egregious punishment serves as a grim reminder of the extent to which the Saudi authorities are willing to go to quell any form of dissent.
A Pattern of Repression
Manal al-Gafiri’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of repression under the de facto rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The Saudi judiciary has been instrumental in issuing extreme prison sentences for cyber activism and the use of social media to criticize the government. For instance, Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a retired teacher, was recently sentenced to death for comments made on Twitter and YouTube. Additionally, Salma al-Shehab, a doctoral candidate at Leeds University, received a staggering 34-year sentence for her tweets.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Response
During a recent interview with Fox News, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman confirmed Mohammed al-Ghamdi’s death sentence, attempting to shift the blame onto “bad laws” that he claimed he could not change. He expressed dissatisfaction with the situation and said he could not instruct judges to ignore the law. However, this assertion has been met with skepticism by human rights defenders and legal experts within Saudi Arabia.
The Power to Change Laws
Critics argue that the crown prince wields significant power and influence and could easily amend or repeal these oppressive laws. Taha al-Hajji, a Saudi lawyer and legal consultant with the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, emphasized that Mohammed bin Salman has the authority to change the laws with a simple decree if he truly desired to do so. This leads to the troubling conclusion that these punitive measures are not an unfortunate byproduct of the legal system but are, in fact, a result of deliberate choices by the Saudi leadership.
The Role of Counterterrorism Laws
One concerning aspect of these cases is the use of counterterrorism laws to target individuals expressing dissenting views. The counterterrorism law, enacted in 2017 shortly after Mohammed bin Salman became crown prince, has been criticized for its broad definition of terrorism. This overly expansive legislation allows the Saudi authorities to classify political activism as terrorism, effectively criminalizing free expression.
The Establishment of New Bodies
In 2017, alongside the counterterrorism law, two new bodies were established: the Presidency of State Security and the Public Prosecution Office. These entities have played a pivotal role in enabling the repression of opposition voices, including those of women’s rights defenders and opposition activists. The overhaul of Saudi Arabia’s security apparatus in 2017 has created a climate of fear, where the mere act of expressing an opinion can lead to severe legal repercussions.
Conclusion
The Washington Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the sentencing of Manal al-Gafiri and the broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia. It is essential to recognize that these violations are not the result of an independent judiciary but rather reflect a systematic effort to stifle dissent and control public discourse. As the international community watches, it is imperative that pressure be exerted on Saudi Arabia to respect the fundamental human rights of its citizens and ensure the immediate release of individuals unjustly imprisoned for expressing their views. The case of Manal al-Gafiri serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change in Saudi Arabia’s approach to freedom of expression and human rights.