Amnesty International Responds to Salma al-Shehab’s Release
In light of Salma al-Shehab’s release, a 36-year-old Saudi Arabian woman who endured over four years behind bars on terrorism-related charges for her tweets advocating for women’s rights, Dana Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Middle East Researcher, expressed relief and concern.
Salma al-Shehab’s Long Struggle
“The nightmare is finally over for Salma al-Shehab,” Ahmed stated. “For more than four years, she faced relentless injustice, including an outrageous 34-year prison sentence purely for expressing her views on social media. Her experience included nearly 300 days in solitary confinement, denial of legal assistance, and repeated terrorism-related convictions—all for supporting women’s rights and sharing the voices of fellow female activists in Saudi Arabia.”
A Call for Freedom and Reflection
“While today marks a victory for Salma, we must remember the countless others still imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for their digital activism,” – Dana Ahmed, Middle East Researcher
“Celebrating Salma’s freedom is significant, but it is equally vital to highlight others facing similar or harsher sentences for advocating online. This includes women like Manahel al-Otaibi and Noura al-Qahtani, who are imprisoned for championing women’s rights, as well as Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, who received a 20-year sentence for his satirical tweets.” Ahmed added, “We call on Saudi authorities to release these individuals immediately and to put an end to the rampant suppression of freedom of expression.”
Support from Global Activism
“Salma’s release is a testament to the unwavering efforts of human rights advocates worldwide who campaigned tirelessly for her liberation,” Ahmed emphasized.
Background on Salma al-Shehab’s Case
Salma al-Shehab, a PhD student at Leeds University and a mother of two, was apprehended on January 15, 2021, after tweeting in support of Saudi women’s rights activists. Her tweets led to charges of “disturbing public order” and “threatening societal security.”
In March 2022, a Specialized Criminal Court sentenced her to six years in prison. Following a demand for a harsher sentence during her appeal in August 2022, the court escalated her punishment to an astonishing 34 years. After another appeal, the Saudi Supreme Court redirected her case to the appeals chamber, which ultimately reduced her sentence to 27 years. In September 2024, the Supreme Court reviewed her case again, decreasing her term to four years in prison with an additional four years suspended. Salma completed her prison term in December 2024 and was released recently.
Conclusion
Salma al-Shehab’s journey highlights the pressing need for justice and reform regarding freedom of expression, particularly for women activists in Saudi Arabia. Her case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by many women who dare to speak out.
