15th May 2020

Free Saudi activists coalition: Advocacy report

The 15th of May 2020 marks two years since the beginning of a campaign of arrests of Saudi Women’s Human Rights Defenders. Since May 2018 the Free Saudi Activists Coalition has been advocating for the release of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) who were arrested in Saudi Arabia. To mark the anniversary the Free Saudi Activists Coalition (Equality Now, Women’s March GlobalInternational Service for Human Rights (ISHR)Americans for Democracy & Human Rights Bahrain (ADHRB)Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and CIVICUS) have released the following report, and continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Saudi activists.

Key recommendations

Over 240,00 people have signed our Change.org petition calling on the United Nations to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all activists being detained solely for their human rights work. The arrests involved approximately a dozen women human rights defenders (WHRDs), including Loujain Al-Hathloul, who remains in prison along with other activists. Reports suggest that these WHRDs have been subjected to multiple torture and human rights violations perpetrated by the Saudi authority, including electric shocks, flogging, and sexual assault, and have been deliberately denied due process.

Now more than ever, during the COVID-19 pandemic, those who are arbitrarily detained and at increased risk, must be released – including Saudi activists.

Explore more resources

1

2

3

Experiencing technology-facilitated gender-based violence in India

As part of our global work to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), our new report reveals legal gaps, trauma, and pathways to justice rooted in the lived experience of survivors of TFGBV in India.

Experiencing technology-facilitated gender-based violence in Kenya: Lived experiences of women and girls

Survivors across Kenya share how digital tools are used to stalk, shame, and silence them. Our latest report outlines key findings and urgent calls for a safer digital space.

Legal gaps and enduring harm: Analysing the persistence of child marriage in the United States

Child marriage remains legal across most of the US, leaving minors vulnerable. Equality Now and Unchained At Last’s report exposes legal gaps, consequences, and provides clear recommendations to address this harmful practice nationwide.

Newsletter Sign-up

Make a donation

I want to donate