Teenage Saudi escapee could have faced a flogging, torture and imprisonment at home

Saudi Arabian teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun prompted the ABC to ask about the country’s strict guardianship system, Friday:

It means women are legally controlled by a male relative who makes a range of decisions on their behalf — including … permission to work, marry and travel. Human rights groups have called for the system to be abolished … it can trap women as prisoners of abusive families.

Egyptian-born feminist and academic Mona Eltahawy, ABC radio PM program, Friday:

What you’re seeing in Rahaf’s case, for example, is she has said her family has been violent towards her, that she was beaten and locked up in her room simply for cutting her hair. Now what does a Saudi woman do in that situation under the guardianship system?

It’s very difficult for her to leave her home, it’s very difficult for her to get legal redress.

For Hani Aldahri, Saudi Arabia is a staunch defender of human rights, Saudi Gazette, December 19:

I was lucky to be part of a panel discussion organised by the Saudi Human Rights Commission in co-operation with the UN in Riyadh a few days ago to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights … The beautiful part of this celebration is that it came less than 24 hours after the Saudi statement denouncing the … US Senate … I want to stress that every citizen and resident of this country should feel proud to witness these great efforts to protect their rights.

Amnesty International’s report on Saudi Arabia for 2017-18:

The authorities severely restricted freedoms of expression, association and assembly. Many human rights defenders and critics were detained and some were sentenced to lengthy prison terms after unfair trials. Several Shi’a activists were executed, and many more were sentenced to death following grossly unfair trials … Torture and other ill-treatment of detainees remained common. Despite limited reforms, women faced systemic discrimination in law.

The BBC, November 21 last year:

Saudi Arabia tortured and sexually harassed human rights activists, including several women, human rights groups have alleged. Prisoners in the kingdom’s Dhahban prison have allegedly been electrocuted and flogged. Saudi Arabia arrested several women’s rights activists earlier this year and influential clerics and intellectuals have also been detained.

Having failed to get an official Saudi comment, the BBC quotes The Wall Street Journal:

The kingdom does not condone, promote, or allow the use of torture.

The BBC story continues:

Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch issued statements … detailing alleged torture of detained prisoners. Activists were left unable to walk or stand properly after electrocution and flogging, Amnesty International said, with one woman reportedly sexually harassed by interrogators in face masks.

UN Watch, November 5 last year:

Following is a selection of the praise that Saudi Arabia received when its human rights record was reviewed (a process) every country undergoes … at the UN Human Rights Council:

Venezuela: “We commend Saudi Arabia for empowering women.”

Pakistan: “We commend efforts to empower women and promote gender equality.”

United Arab Emirates: “We commend Saudi Arabia for mainstreaming human rights.”