Loujain al-Hathloul is a prominent Saudi human rights defender who campaigned against the driving ban and the male guardianship system. On February 27, 2018, al-Hathloul attended the session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), during its consideration of Saudi Arabia, in Geneva.
In March 2018, after returning to her place of residence in Abu Dhabi, UAE, al-Hathloul was arrested by Emirati authorities and taken to Riyadh by Saudi authorities for interrogation. After three days she was released and a travel ban was imposed.
On May 15, 2018, Saudi police forces raided al-Hathloul’s home in Saudi Arabia and arrested her. Al-Hathloul was then held incommunicado by the authorities for three months, during which she was beaten, waterboarded, given electric shocks, sexually harassed, and threatened with rape and murder. On June 14, 2018, several special procedures mandate holders expressed their concerns and called on the Saudi authorities to respond to allegations in relation to her case.
In 2018 the CEDAW Chair and Focal Point on Reprisals wrote confidential letters to the Government related to the allegations of her arbitrary detention and degrading treatment and punishment.
On March 13, 2019, al-Hathloul’s trial began before the Criminal Court. It is believed that she is being tried for charges including “undermining public order, religious values, good morals and private life” and “communicating with journalists, UN human rights bodies and human rights organisations”, which are deemed to be “hostile to the state”. All of her subsequent court sessions have been closed, with diplomats and journalists prevented from attending.
In July / August 2019, Saudi state security visited al-Hathloul in prison in order to negotiate a deal. In return for making a video statement denying that she was tortured, the authorities offered to release al-Hathloul. However, it is reported that she rejected this proposal.
On September 19, 2019, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2019 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
Al-Hathloul appeared before the Criminal Court in Riyadh on January 30 and February 12, 2020. In mid-March, al-Hathloul was due to appear in court again. However, her hearing date was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
On May 1, 2020, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 30, 2020, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2020 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
On December 28, 2020, she was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison, suspended by two years and 10 months, in addition to a five-year travel ban, following an unfair trial before the Saudi Specialised Criminal Court.
On February 10, 2021, and after 1001 days in prison, al-Hathloul was conditionally released from prison. In March 2021, a Saudi appeals court upheld her original sentence. As such, al-Hathloul is currently facing a five-year travel ban.
On April 15, 2021, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 29, 2021, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2021 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
On April 15, 2022, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 29, 2022, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2022 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
On April 13, 2023, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On April 15, 2024, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 26, 2024, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2024 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.
On April 25, 2025, MENA Rights Group referred the case to the UN Secretary-General ahead of the preparation of the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights.
On September 24, 2025, the UN Secretary-General raised the case in the 2025 report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.