Saudi Women’s Rights Activist Loujain Al-Hathloul Seeks Urgent Travel Ban Lift, Sparking Global Outrage
Loujain Al-Hathloul, a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, is urgently calling for the lift of a travel ban that was imposed on her in 2018. Al-Hathloul’s detention and subsequent release earlier this year garnered global attention, but despite her supposed freedom, she is still prohibited from leaving the country.
Her sister, Lina, residing in Belgium, raised awareness about Al-Hathloul’s predicament, emphasizing that the time for her travel ban has expired. Expressing concerns, Lina hopes that this is merely an administrative oversight rather than an escalation of the situation. She eagerly anticipates being reunited with her sister and the rest of their family soon.
Alia, Al-Hathloul’s older sister, voiced similar worries. She patiently awaited September 13th, which legally marked the end of Loujain’s travel ban. However, she discovered that multiple government agencies directed them elsewhere in the pursuit of lifting the ban, despite a court ruling that should have made the process straightforward.
Although Al-Hathloul’s travel ban officially ended over three weeks ago, her family only recently revealed the ongoing issue. Al-Hathloul faced a five-year prison sentence under the guise of Saudi Arabia’s counter-terrorism law before her release. While incarcerated, she endured torture and rape threats, according to activists close to her cause.
Al-Hathloul gained international recognition for her role in the Women to Drive Movement, a campaign aimed at pressuring the Saudi government to lift the driving ban imposed on women. Although the ban was subsequently lifted shortly after her detention, Al-Hathloul remained behind bars. She further campaigned against the male guardianship system, which restricts women’s autonomy in various aspects of their lives.
Al-Hathloul’s activism garnered accolades globally, including the prestigious Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize in 2020. Additionally, she was named one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People in 2019 and was twice nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
The urgency surrounding Al-Hathloul’s travel ban has ignited widespread outrage, with human rights organizations and activists demanding her freedom. Public attention remains focused on Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women’s rights advocates, emphasizing the need for change and reform within the kingdom’s policies.
It is crucial for Saudi Arabia to address Al-Hathloul’s plea for her travel ban to be lifted promptly and to demonstrate a commitment to upholding women’s rights. The global community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging Saudi authorities to take immediate action and allow Al-Hathloul the freedom to travel as she desires.
