Question 1

Who is Loujain al-Hathloul?

Accepted Answer

Loujain al-Hathloul is a notable gender rights activist from Saudi Arabia, known best for her work towards getting women the right to drive and for opposing the male guardianship system, both of which were hampering women's independence in the kingdom. A University of British Columbia graduate, al-Hathloul has been vocal about the atrocities committed by the Saudi government. In 2018, she was kidnapped and later arrested on charges of terrorism. A 2020 verdict sentenced her to almost six years in prison. al-Hathloul has featured on TIME's 100 most influential list.

Question 2

Why was the Saudi women's activist arrested?

Accepted Answer

Loujain al-Hathloul, gender activist prominent for her role in campaigning for women's right to drive in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was on Monday sentenced to a jail term of five years and eight months. Reports suggest the 31-year-old Nobel Prize nominee has been found guilty of "terror" related activities and of conspiring with foreign powers. However, al-Hathloul, who has been in jail since May 2018 when she was arrested alongside ten other women's activists, will have to serve only three months hence, since her sentence has been backdated.

Question 3

How is women's rights in Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

While she has been allegedly arrested for terrorism-related activities, many critics are claiming al-Hathloul is facing the consequences of campaigning for women's right to drive in a kingdom known for clamping down on the liberation of women. A humans rights spokesperson was quoted saying in The Independent, "Loujain is a peaceful campaigner for the basic freedoms the rest of the world takes for granted. In response she has been imprisoned, tortured and abused by the Saudi authorities – yet they call her the terrorist."

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