Women's Rights In Saudi Arabia

EDM number 1356 in 2017-19, proposed by Ann Clwyd on 07/06/2018.
Categorised under the topics of Human rights, Middle East, Roads and Sex discrimination.

That this House is concerned that, despite the lifting of the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia scheduled for 24 June 2018, a number of Saudi women's rights activists, including Loujain Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef and Eman al-Nafjan, have been detained, allegedly on the basis of undermining security and stability; is disappointed that some positive human rights developments in Saudi Arabia have been marred by these arrests; is concerned that the Saudi leadership seems to be continuing to deny the inherent legality and benefit of civil society activity within its country and to be criminalising constructive engagement between Saudi citizens and representatives from countries with a long-standing and positive relationship with the Saudi Kingdom; urges the Saudi Government to recognise the legitimate and constructive role of civil society and human rights defenders in its country, and to release these activists immediately if their detention is solely due, as it appears, to their human rights work; and calls on the Government to raise these concerns and cases with the Saudi Government immediately.

This motion has been signed by a total of 20 MPs.