The United Nation Condemns The Arrest Of Saudi Woman Jailed For Using Twitter

The United Nations called for the release of Salma al-Shehab, the Saudi woman sentenced to 34 years in prison for using Twitter. The Leeds University student was arrested for following and retweeting activists and dissidents.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed outrage that the 34-year-old was arrested for following and retweeting dissidents and activists. The OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssel said, “We urge the Saudi authorities to quash her conviction and release her immediately and unconditionally. She should never have been arrested and charged in the first place for such conduct.”

UN Salma al-Shehab

The UN referred to media reports describing the case as an attempt to target Twitter users in an effort to repress citizens. OHCHR’s statement said it was “yet another example of Saudi authorities weaponising the country’s counter-terrorism and anti-cybercrime laws to target, intimidate and retaliate against human rights defends and those who voice dissent”.

The UN called for Salma al-Shehab’s release and asked Saudi Arabia to review all of their convictions that stemmed from free expression against human rights defenders. OHCHR also mentioned that the Saudi government should review the conviction of religious leaders, journalists, and women jailed for demanding reform on discriminatory policies.

The Saudi government was asked to establish a legislative framework that was in line with international human rights law and uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

Salma al-Shehab was initially sentenced to three years in prison by a special terrorist court. The prosecutor asked the court to consider Shehab’s alleged crimes and an appeals court then sentenced her to 34 years in prison and a 34-year travel ban.

Reportedly, the new charges against Shehab alleged that she was “assisting those who seek to cause public unrest and destabilise civil and national security by following their Twitter accounts”. The mother of two had retweeted tweets by Saudi dissidents that called for the release of political prisoners.

Human rights organisations such as The Freedom Initiative, Human Rights Foundation, and the European Saudi Organisation for Human rights also condemned the ruling and called for Shehab’s release.

Suggested Reading: Who Is Salma al-Shehab? Saudi Woman Gets 34-Year Prison Term For Using Twitter