Saudi Arabia: CFWIJ condemns the state persecution against Nassima al-Sadah and calls for her release

March 15, 2021— Columnist and women's rights activist Nassima al-Sadah was detained by authorities on July 30, 2018. Nassima endured threats and assault in prison and was restrained during the interrogation procedure. Starting in February 2019, Nassima was held in solitary confinement for one year. She fiercely campaigned for women's rights, focusing on their participation in politics and an end to the country's ban on women driving. Just a month before her arrest, the ban was lifted. CFWIJ calls for the immediate release of Nassima and other prisoners of conscience. We demand Saudi authorities to drop all charges against Nassima and release her immediately. 

Human rights activist, columnist, and co-founder of the Al-Adalah Center for Human Rights, Nassima al-Sadah was detained by Saudi Authorities on July 31, 2018. Nassima is known for her dedicated efforts to establish women’s rights to drive and vote. She was very active in training young people to advocate for their rights.  The activist also protests the male-guardianship system that binds women to ask permission from their husbands, fathers, or even sons before making any necessary decisions in Saudi Arabia. In 2011, Nassima was the first of few women to file a lawsuit claiming women should be allowed to stand in municipal elections. In 2015, when women were allowed to contest in municipal elections for the first time, Nassima al-Sadah filed her nomination but was barred from taking part.

Nassima used to write for the Saudi online newspaper Juhaina, focusing on women's rights issues and highlighting their lack of political participation. She was detained for fiercely defending human rights and demanding equality. Nassima also called out state authorities for violations of Shia rights, a religious minority in the country. Nassima is suffering in prison for fighting for the freedom of others. Reportedly, jail authorities moved her to solitary confinement for a year, often not allowing her to visit with family or her lawyer. A judge ordered her release, but he was soon removed from the case.

Nassima's arrest was reported along with other prominent activists Samar Badawi and Amal al-Harbi. The arrests were part of the crackdown started against activists in May 2018. At least 15 activists were detained as part of the government’s policy leading up to the repeal of the driving ban against women. The quieting of dissent voices in Saudi Arabia is not new, and reforms like repealing the ban on women driving are nothing but a mask to hide the state's notorious history of violating human rights. 

Nassima was reportedly arrested on July 30, 2018. She was held in Mabahith prison, in solitary confinement. Human Rights Watch reported the cruel assault of electric shocks and lashings on at least three women activists in a Saudi prison on November 20, 2018. Though the identity of activists was not revealed, concerns were raised regarding the treatment of Nassima al-Sadah in prison. In December 2018, Nassima returned to general detention, but after a month, she was again thrown into solitary confinement.

Nassima was summoned to Riyadh Criminal Court on June 27, 2019, and was charged under the cybercrime law. Nassima al-Sadah was charged for communicating with foreign entities hostile towards the state for her social media posts from July 28, 2019. The charges were based on her confessions of posting messages on social media, including Twitter.

A secret trial session was held, and Nassima was called for a hearing on February 19, 2020. International observers were denied attendance at this session. On November 25, 2020, Nassima was sentenced by the criminal court to five years and ten months in prison. The public prosecutor challenged the sentence, seeking harsher punishment. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the state persecution against Nassima and calls for her immediate release. We ask the Saudi government to drop the baseless charges against her and free her from prolonged detention. Nassima should be free to practice her right to campaign and address human rights violations. The Saudi state should address the issues of contention and stop its persecution of women activists.