Current Event #11 - Saudi Arabian Activists Put On Trial

In Beirut, Lebanon it was announced by the public prosecutor of Saudi Arabia's Office that it had completed its investigation into a group of women's rights activists, who were accused of working to “undermine the security” of the Kingdom. They also were preparing to put them on trial. The treatment of the activists has been frowned upon and criticized by human rights groups. The activists were arrested last spring but have not faced formal charges. Some of the activists were mistreated while the interrogation was taking place according to relatives although Saudi Arabia says otherwise. The group of activists included both men and women. Some of them had campaigned openly on lifting the ban on women driving, and some were in the middle of opening a shelter for abused women, that's when they got arrested. The activists ended up being detained while Saudi Arabia started to lift the ban on women driving. Some are assuming that the current ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, didn’t want to give credit to those that encouraged it.
I find it so crazy and disappointing that something so crazy and influential happened and was just ignored. It's like a politician wasn’t given credit for winning the election. Women's rights have always been a problem in Saudi Arabia, so obviously, women having the right to drive was a great change. We just don’t acknowledge what helped to encourage the decision because it was covered up. Now that the activists are on trial they will be able to defend their selves over this event. Personally, I hope the activists leave not guilty and help women out in Saudi Arabia. They have influenced change before and I believe they can do it again.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-trial-rights-activists.html

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