Monday’s musing about Maud: Saudi Arabian Women’s Rights Activist case transferred to terrorist court. Two years held without trial and counting.

Maud Gonne was an activist for the rights of political prisoners in hostile jails.
She would no doubt have admired Loujain al-Hathloul stance in Saudi Arabia, promoting the right of women to drive and travel without men.

Loujain Al-Hathloul has been detained for the last two years without trial and without visits from her family, let alone an attorney. In 2018, she lobbied hard for women’s right to drive and drove herself to make the point. The law in the kingdom was changed partly due to her efforts and that of other women activists. As of 2018 Saudi Arabian women are legally allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. However, accusations against Loujain AL-Hahtloul include these “crimes:” trying to change the kingdom’s political system, campaigning for women’s rights and talking to foreign journalists, diplomats and human rights organizations. According to Amnesty International, an organization cofounded by Maud’s son Sean MacBride, this brave young woman has been tortured and sexually abused while in jail.

Read the full article by The New York Times