Saudi leaders should free human rights defenders instead of hiding their abuses behind concerts, sports tournaments & flashy events.

UPDATE June 2021: Saudi authorities released fearless human rights defenders Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah in late June 2021, after nearly three years in detention, at the expiry of their sentences. The news follows the release of women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hatlhoul in February 2021.

Due to the tireless efforts of these defenders’ families, the international solidarity community, and YOU, the pressure is on Saudi authorities to deliver justice. But there is still much work to be done. Loujain remains banned from travel and has a suspended sentence of nearly three years on charges that define her women’s rights activism as crimes under Saudi Arabia’s terrorism regulations, meaning authorities can return her to prison at any time if she decides to speak out or to resume her activism. Similarly, Samar and Nassima face suspended sentences of about two years and are banned from travel.

Loujain, Samar, and Nassima should have never been imprisoned in the first place, and they deserve justice and compensation for their detention.

Why does the Saudi government need high-profile stars and lavish events like the Jeddah music festival, fashion week, Formula 1, and MDL Beast? It’s part of a very intentional public relations strategy to whitewash their human rights abuses and launder their reputation.

We need your help to rally your favorite artists and athletes and make sure they don’t have #SaudiRegrets.

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