Fitness trainer turned activist faces harsh prison sentence in Saudi Arabia

Activism takes many forms. Some people organize peaceful protests, while others act like attacking works of art. In Europe, Australia, or North America, activism is expressed quite differently than in Asia or Africa, where one might end up in prison for a sideways glance or wearing pants. Nevertheless, people worldwide prioritize the fight for human rights over their safety, health, and even life. One such person is Manahel al-Otaibi, a 30-year-old fitness trainer and women's rights advocate who fought for freedom in Saudi Arabia.

In January 2024, Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced during a secret trial by a Saudi court to 11 years of imprisonment for "terrorist offences." Al-Otaibi was punished for advocating for women's rights through social media. She was among the first to use the hashtag "#IAmMyOwnGuardian," calling for the abolition of the male guardianship system that requires women to get permission from a husband or another male family member to travel or marry. Her sisters, Maryam and Fawzia, supported her using the hashtag.

Everyone did not receive the sisters' campaign well. They faced threats, intimidation, and arrests. Consequently, in 2022, Saudi authorities accused Manahel al-Otaibi of "conducting a propaganda campaign aimed at persuading girls to renounce religious principles and rebel against Saudi cultural customs and traditions." In November 2022, the activist was arrested and accused of "posting tweets supporting women's rights and images where she did not wear traditional attire." During her detention, al-Otaibi was reportedly brutally beaten by both fellow inmates and guards.

The story of the arrested activist's experiences was shared by her sister, Fawzia, who avoided arrest by fleeing to Beirut. In an interview with "The Guardian," she said, "She was very afraid [when we spoke to her by phone], but was strong enough to tell us about the incident and what happened despite their threats to try to keep her silent. I believe they are punishing and torturing Manahel because they are unable to punish me. She told us that if communication is interrupted again next week [when she is due to call her family again] then it means they have punished her for telling us about everything that happened."

During the latest attack, which occurred last week, Manahel was struck in the face with a sharp object. Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and advocacy at ALQST, an organization documenting human rights in Saudi Arabia, told "The Guardian": "This is the latest in a series of appalling attacks that Manahel has faced in prison, with the Saudi authorities not only turning a blind eye to the abuse but actively facilitating it, including by preventing her from making complaints, placing her in solitary confinement and putting her in cells where she is vulnerable to further violence. This is part of a wider pattern in which the authorities are callously toying with the lives of Saudi prisoners of conscience, with potentially lethal consequences."