Story behind
Loujain is an iconic figure in Saudi Arabia’s women’s rights movement. She has actively campaigned for women’s rights in the country and against the driving ban imposed on women. She has also publicly and consistently called for the dismantlement of the male guardianship system.
Loujain was listed in the Times 100 most influential women of 2019, which described her “fearless, longtime efforts” as the foundation for change in legislation allowing women to drive.
What happened
In February 2018, Loujain came to Geneva to brief members of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on human rights situation of women in Saudi Arabia. Three months after her engagement with the UN treaty body, Loujain was arrested and arbitrary detained.
In December 2020, Loujain was sentenced under national security related charges. After more than 1000 days in detention, she was released following the end of her sentence but continues to face three years of probation and a five-year travel ban.
Her latest attempt to have the travel ban lifted was rejected on appeal, meaning Loujain currently has no legal remedy against this illegal travel ban anymore.
Additionally, after Loujain’s trip to the UN in 2018, her family was also put on a travel ban. Some members of the family residing outside the country found themselves trapped in Saudi Arabia as they were unaware of the ban imposed on them.
What do we want
We want the Saudi government to lift Loujain’s travel ban, as well as the ones imposed on members of her family. We want States to hold their peer accountable and publicly name Loujain’s case, also showing solidarity for her and her family.
