Saudi Arabia

Leeds MP calls on Liz Truss to act so imprisoned mother-of-two 'can be freed to return to family and studies'

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Liz Truss has been called to intervene after a Leeds Unviersity student was jailed for 34 years in Saudi Arabia.

That sentence has now been increased to 34 years which includes a 34-year travel ban. “I would be very grateful if you could make representations to the Saudi authorities on behalf of Ms al Shehab so that she can be freed to return to her family and to her studies at the University of Leeds.” [iz Truss](/topic/liz-truss) has been called to intervene after a Leeds Unviersity student was jailed for 34 years in [Saudi Arabia](/topic/saudi-arabia).

Shehab, a 34-year-old mother of two, was first sentenced to three years in prison for "creating public disorder" and "destabilising civil and national ...

Contrary to what we’ve observed on the ground.” Shehab’s case was “shocking,” but it was only “one of the hundreds,” according to Bethany Al-Haidari, Saudi case manager at the Freedom Initiative, a US-based human rights organisation. I’m in favour of it if individuals want to use boxing or sport to effect change, the man remarked. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua, appeared to reject the criticism in an interview on the Today programme of BBC Radio 4 on Saturday. The case, in his words, is “shocking and absurd.” Leeds University expressed its serious worry over the most recent Salma case development and asked for suggestions on what it might do to help Salma.

Salma al-Shehab was initially jailed after appearing to support activists and dissidents on Twitter.

“There’s been a global campaign by the Saudi government to say things are changing and the country is reforming, but that’s just not true. She said cases of abuses were not limited to Saudi nationals, adding that those travelling there for sporting and other events could be at risk. Leeds University said: “We are deeply concerned to learn of the recent development in Salma’s case and are seeking advice on whether there is anything we can do to support her. “She’s just the one that the world happens to get the chance to see. He said the case is “completely at odds with Saudi Arabia’s claim to be improving human rights”, writing: “It seems that all she has done is use her Twitter account to support women’s rights and greater freedom, and to call for the release of imprisoned activists in Saudi Arabia.” “I think we have a duty as citizens and countries to speak out wherever human rights are abused and denied in this way.

The UN human rights office, OHCHR has expressed outrage over a 34-year prison sentence handed down to a Saudi woman, Ms Salma Al-Shehab charged with ...

OHCHR also urged the Saudi Government to establish “a robust legislative framework in line with international human rights law” to uphold the rights to freedom of expression and association, and the right of peaceful assembly for all. It described it as yet another example of Saudi authorities weaponising the country’s counter-terrorism and anti-cybercrime laws to target, intimidate and retaliate against human rights defenders and those who voice dissent. “We urge the Saudi authorities to quash her conviction and release her immediately and unconditionally.

After a Saudi Arabian court condemned a Saudi PhD student at Leeds University to 34 years in jail for retweeting dissidents and spreading “false” rumors, ...

Benn added, “I think we have a duty as citizens and countries to speak out wherever human rights are abused and denied in this way. [sentenced](https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/08/350828/moroccan-court-sentences-woman-to-2-years-in-prison-for-insulting-islam) to three years in jail for “causing public unrest” and “destabilizing civil and national security” after appearing to promote activists and dissidents on Twitter. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/21/plea-for-liz-truss-to-act-after-saudis-jail-uk-student-for-34-years-over-twitter-use), Benn wrote to Truss to urge her to “make representations to the Saudi authorities” for Shehab “so that she can be freed to return to her family and to her studies.”