Who Is Manahel al-Otaibi? Saudi Woman Jailed For Tweet Supporting Women's Rights

The case of Manahel al-Otaibi has once again brought international attention to the oppressive tactics employed by the Saudi authorities. At 29 years old, Manahel, a fitness instructor and outspoken advocate for women's rights, finds herself sentenced to a staggering 11 years in prison. Her crime? Simply expressing her views online and daring to challenge the status quo of Saudi society.

Amnesty International and ALQST reported that Manahel al-Otaibi, 29, was convicted on charges linked to her clothing choices and online expression of her beliefs, including calls to eliminate the guardianship system and videos showing her shopping without an abaya. Saudi diplomats, however  informed the UN that she had been found guilty of "terrorism offences."

The Unjust Sentence

Al-Otaibi, a trained fitness teacher, used her internet platform to raise the voices of women seeking freedom from unjust guardianship laws. Her campaigning expanded to Twitter, where she used hashtags like #societyisready to convey a clear appeal for the eradication of redundant male guardianship practices. However, from the perspective of Saudi officials, such actions represented a danger to the established order, leading to the arrest and subsequent sentence.

Manahel al-Otaibi's ordeal began with a secret hearing before Saudi Arabia's notorious Specialized Criminal Court, known for its lack of transparency and due process. Convicted under the kingdom's draconian Counter-Terrorism Law, her charges were both absurd and baseless, centred on her attire and online activism, highlighting the egregious abuse of power that not only violates fundamental human rights but also exposes the stark contradiction between the Saudi government's purported reforms and its oppressive actions.

Since her imprisonment, Manahel has been subjected to a barrage of torture at the hands of Saudi authorities. Her case typifies the systematic repression that people who dare to criticise the existing status quo endure, from unfair imprisonment to enforced disappearance and physical abuse. Her conviction sends a grim message well beyond Saudi Arabia, stressing the urgent need for international attention and action.

Manahel's case reveals the hypocrisy that underpins Saudi Arabia's much-touted reform narrative. Despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's pledges of modernization and advancement, the situation for women like Manahel remains dire. The disparity between rhetoric and reality could not be greater, as the Saudi dictatorship continues to silence criticism and trample on basic freedoms with impunity.

Al-Otaibi's story is infused with irony, interlinked with hope and thwarted expectations.  The activist, who was previously an ardent admirer of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's alleged reforms, finds herself trapped in the very system she attempted to reform. Her imprisonment conveys the perilous character of dissent in a country torn between tradition and modernity.

Calls for Justice

Amidst mounting international pressure, calls for Manahel's immediate and unconditional release have grown louder. Organizations like Amnesty International and ALQST have been vocal in their condemnation of her unjust imprisonment and have called upon Saudi authorities to uphold their obligations under international law.

According to ALQST, she was initially accused of infringing the Anti-Cyber Crime Law in November 2022 by "opposing the laws relating to women, such as the male guardianship system and the hijab law"; "participating in several hashtags opposing these laws"; "having several photos and video clips in indecent clothes on [social media] accounts"; and "going to the shops without wearing an abaya, photographing this, and publishing it on Snapchat".

Under Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system, a woman's father, brother, husband, or son can make important choices on her behalf regarding marriage, divorce, and children. Her sister, Fawzia, faced identical allegations but fled Saudi Arabia that year after being called for questioning, according to ALQST.

Moreover, both Amnesty International and ALQST highlight the broader pattern of persecution faced by women who dare to challenge the status quo—a pattern highlighted by the cases of Salma al-Shehab, Fatima al-Shawarbi, Sukaynah al-Aithan, and Nourah al-Qahtani, each handed draconian sentences for daring to speak out.