Assassination Attempt on Saudi Women’s Rights Activist Manahel Al-Otaibi: A Call for Immediate Action

Together for Justice condemns the recent assassination attempt on Saudi prisoner of conscience Manahel Al-Otaibi and calls for international action to secure her release and ensure accountability for the violations she and other activists continue to face.

In a deeply alarming development, Manahel Al-Otaibi, a prominent Saudi women’s rights activist currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, was subjected to an assassination attempt inside the prison where she is being held. Her sister, who has been vocal about Manahel’s unjust imprisonment, revealed on social media that Manahel was stabbed in the face two weeks ago by an unknown woman who had been specifically sent to attack her.

According to her sister, Manahel received two stitches for her injuries and was immediately placed in solitary confinement for two weeks, a move likely intended to suppress information about the attack from spreading among other inmates. “Manahel is being targeted inside the prison, and this was an attempt on her life,” her sister said.

A Chilling Attempt to Silence Dissent

The assassination attempt on Manahel is not only an act of violence but also a clear warning from those in power. Manahel, a peaceful activist, has been repeatedly silenced, tortured, and now faces the threat of death simply for advocating for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. This attack underscores the extreme lengths the Saudi regime will go to quell dissent and intimidate prisoners of conscience.

Unjust Imprisonment and Continued Violations

Manahel’s ordeal began in November 2022, when she was arrested for her activism on social media, where she advocated for women’s rights and freedom of choice in Saudi Arabia. As a fitness trainer and activist, Manahel frequently used platforms like Snapchat to share messages about the need for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Despite the Saudi government’s attempts to portray itself as progressive with reforms on women’s rights, Manahel’s calls for deeper changes—such as the freedom to choose clothing—led to her arrest and subsequent imprisonment.

In May 2024, after being held in detention without communication with her family for over 150 days, Manahel was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a secret trial. The sentence was not disclosed until months later, following repeated demands from the United Nations for information about her case. The charges against her were based on Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism law, which criminalizes peaceful activism by accusing individuals of “spreading false news” and “inciting terrorism” through social media.

Manahel’s trial, like those of other activists in the kingdom, was a blatant violation of her rights. She was denied legal representation, held in solitary confinement, and subjected to psychological torture. Her sentence is yet another example of the Saudi judicial system being used as a tool to suppress voices calling for reform and change.

The Real Reason Behind Manahel’s Persecution

Manahel’s arrest and imprisonment are part of a broader pattern of Saudi repression targeting women who dare to challenge the status quo. The official charges against her, including posting a photo of herself on Snapchat without wearing the traditional black abaya, reflect the deep-rooted patriarchal control that still governs women’s lives in the kingdom.

Despite small reforms, such as allowing women to drive and travel independently, Saudi Arabia continues to impose strict social controls, particularly on women who speak out for greater freedoms. Manahel’s case is not isolated; many other women, like Salma Al-Shehab, have faced similar draconian punishments for their activism on platforms like Twitter.

In addition to Manahel’s own activism, the authorities appear to be targeting her due to her family’s involvement in women’s rights advocacy. Her sister, Fawzia Al-Otaibi, is also a well-known activist who has faced harassment for her outspokenness. Fawzia fled Saudi Arabia to avoid arrest, but the regime has since imposed travel bans on other members of the family and has used Manahel’s detention as a means to exert collective punishment on the family for their activism.

Saudi Arabia’s Repressive Tactics on Social Media

Manahel’s case highlights the increasing repression Saudi authorities are applying to social media users who challenge the government. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has extended its control over platforms like Twitter and Snapchat, using these tools to monitor, identify, and arrest individuals who engage in peaceful activism.

The regime has reportedly collaborated with tech companies to obtain user data and silence dissent. Saudi authorities have also leveraged their growing influence within social media companies, such as Twitter and Snapchat, to tighten their grip on freedom of expression. Manahel’s arrest for a harmless Snapchat photo illustrates the extent to which the Saudi government views any deviation from state-approved social norms as a threat.

A Call for Immediate International Action

The assassination attempt on Manahel Al-Otaibi, her unjust imprisonment, and the violations of her basic human rights demand immediate international intervention. Together for Justice calls on the United Nations, human rights organizations, and governments around the world to apply sustained pressure on Saudi Arabia to release Manahel and all other prisoners of conscience.

The continued persecution of women like Manahel, who advocate for peaceful reforms, highlights the Saudi regime’s unwillingness to embrace genuine change. The world must hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its hypocrisy—claiming progress on women’s rights while jailing and silencing women who demand freedom.

Manahel Al-Otaibi’s case represents the harsh reality faced by women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia. Her imprisonment, the assassination attempt against her, and the conditions she endures in solitary confinement are testaments to the brutal lengths the Saudi regime will go to maintain control and suppress dissent.

Together for Justice stands in solidarity with Manahel and her family, and we will continue to advocate for her immediate and unconditional release. We call on the international community to not only condemn Saudi Arabia’s actions but to take decisive steps to ensure that women like Manahel can exercise their fundamental rights without fear of persecution. The time for action is now.