Detained female activists ‘tortured’ in Saudi Arabian prison

SAUDI ARABIA has tortured and sexually harassed women’s rights activists detained in prison, a report alleges.

The activists, who have not been named for fear of reprisal, were arrested by Saudi authorities in May ahead of the kingdom’s lifting of the decades-long women’s driving ban.

Those detained in Dhahban Prison have allegedly been interrogated by masked jailers, with one made to hang from the ceiling for long periods of time, sources told Human Rights Watch.

Several showed physical signs of torture, including difficulty walking, uncontrolled shaking of the hands, and red marks and scratches on their faces and necks.

At least one of the women attempted to commit suicide multiple times, according to testimonies.

The charity said it was unclear whether they were seeking to force the women to sign confessions or merely to punish them for their peaceful advocacy.

While the ill-treatment of men in Saudi detention, including the prominent businessmen and princes who were held for months at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Riyadh, is common, observers say the torture of female prisoners is unprecedented.

Among the activists and campaigners still being held is Loujain al-hathloul, a personal friend of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who became the face of the driving movement.

While many hailed the end of the driving ban, critics of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman say his muzzling of opposition voices is worrying.

Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said: “Any government that tortures women for demanding basic rights should face withering international criticism, not unblinking US and UK support.”

Saudi authorities have said Riyadh “does not condone, promote, or allow the use of torture”.