Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have each issued statements that detailed the horrid treatment that female activists experienced while being detained in the Saudi Dhahban Prison. According to the organisations, 10 women, some of which include prominent activists who were involved in the movement trying to give women the right to vote, and seven men are being detained for their human rights work. All the testimonies that were provided were anonymous over the sources fears for their safety as well as potential retaliation towards the detained activists.
Despite the ban on the woman’s right to drive being lifted in June, activists, including Loujain al-Hathloul, Eman al-Nafjan and Aziza al-Yousef, were detained simultaneously.
A researcher for Amnesty International, Dana Ahmed told the Guardian that none of the people that were detained have been charged with any crimes.
Amnesty, citing threes anonymous testimonies, said that the activists were repeatedly given electric shocks and floggings that left some table to walk or stand up.
During one session, a prisoner was hung from the ceiling.
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One of the detained women said that she was sexually abused by masked Saudi interrogators.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) quoted several sources who said that at least three female prisoners were whipped, electrocuted and subjected to “forcible hugging and kissing”.
HRW said that they were not sure if the interrogators were trying to get information from the activists or if they were just punishing the women for their activism.
According to Amnesty, this abuse left prisoners’ hands shaking uncontrollably and having marks on their faces and necks.
Saudi Arabia has come under increased scrutiny after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
The CIA earlier this week stated that they believe that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered the killing and failed cover-up.
Despite Saudi officials admitting that the journalist had been murdered, Mr Khashoggi’s body has yet to be found.
The Saudis have refused to accept responsibility for the death with US President Donald Trump continuing to back the Crown Prince despite the evidence provided to him by his own intelligence services.
Following Mr Khashoggi’s death, Amnesty’s Middle East director Lynn Maalouf said that this new activist’s report “exposes torture of Saudi women activists would show violations by the Saudi authorities”.
HRW’s deputy Middle East research director Michael Page said: “Any brutal torture of Saudi women activists would show no limit to the Saudi authorities’ campaign of wanton cruelty against critics and human rights activists.
“Any government that tortures women for demanding basic rights should face withering international criticism, not unblinking U.S. and U.K. support.”