(HRinfo/IFEX) – HRinfo condemns the 4 August 2006 arrest of the Saudi writer Wajiha Al-Howaider. She was arrested while walking on the bridge connecting Saudi Arabia with Bahrain, holding a banner that stated “Give women their rights”. Her arrest is only one of many forms of harassment that she has faced, starting with her being […]
(HRinfo/IFEX) – HRinfo condemns the 4 August 2006 arrest of the Saudi writer Wajiha Al-Howaider. She was arrested while walking on the bridge connecting Saudi Arabia with Bahrain, holding a banner that stated “Give women their rights”.
Her arrest is only one of many forms of harassment that she has faced, starting with her being banned from writing in any Saudi press outlet, in accordance with the decree passed by the Ministry of Information in 2003. Her writings on websites have been blocked. Al-Howaider writes for websites such as Modern Discussion (http://www.rezgar.com) and Middle East Transparent (http://www.metransparent.com). Finally, she was arrested on 4 August simply because she insisted upon practicing her right to express her opinion.
Al-Howaider’s arrest not only represents a violation of her right to freedom of expression, it is also a violation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which Saudi Arabia has ratified.
Al-Howaider has won the prize of the International Writers Association and was honored in 2004 in Holland for her enlightening writings that are critical of extremist religious trends and that defend women’s rights in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
HRinfo condemns Al-Howaider’s arbitrary arrest and demands that the Saudi government immediately release her and cancel the decree that bans her from writing in the Saudi press, as this decree contradicts human rights principles including the right to freedom of expression.
