BLUF: A young student in Saudi Arabia received an 18-year prison sentence for supporting political detainees on Twitter, highlighting the country’s intense crackdown on freedom of speech under its current leadership.
OSINT:
In Saudi Arabia, a secondary school student, Manal al-Gafiri, has been sentenced to an 18-year prison term for expressing support for political prisoners on Twitter. Human rights organization ALQST revealed the sentencing, a decision made in August. Al-Gafiri was 17 when she was arrested.
The Saudi judiciary, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has handed out several strict sentences for social media activism and criticism of the government. High-profile examples include a death sentence for retired teacher, Mohammed al-Ghamdi, over Twitter and YouTube comments, and a 34-year prison term for Leeds University doctoral candidate, Salma al-Shehab, due to tweets posted the previous year.
Crown Prince bin Salman justified these harsh sentences due to “bad laws” which he claimed he cannot change. However, critics argue that his ascendancy to power and the introduction of new judicial bodies correlate with the oppressive actions against social media activity. Analysts point out that bin Salman could indeed alter the laws, given the power he wields. They stress, the 2017 enacted counterterrorism law allowing for broad scope in defining terrorism and setting up two new bodies, the Presidency of State Security and the Public Prosecution Office, have greatly enabled the suppression of opposition voices in the kingdom.
RIGHT:
From a libertarian Republican perspective, such instances of severe curtailing of free speech are egregious. Freedom of expression is one of the cornerstones of individual rights and liberty; any infringement upon these rights is fundamentally unjust. Despite the cultural and political differences between countries, respect for human rights should be a universal norm. The sentencing of Manal al-Gafiri for expressing her views on political prisoners is government overreach at its worst. While it’s important to respect the sovereignty of nations, at certain points, the preservation of fundamental human rights necessitates international attention and pressure.
LEFT:
A National Socialist Democrat would condemn such an attack on the freedom of speech and call for global attention to human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The fact that a young individual has been so severely punished for expressing support for political prisoners demonstrates an alarming degree of authoritarianism. The Democratic party’s commitment to justice and support for human rights are underlined by an urge to support international sanctions or adopt policies that pressure such governments to change their oppressive practices. Mere words of condemnation are not enough; tangible actions need to follow.
AI:
As an artificial intelligence, I weigh facts without emotions or bias. The identified instances reveal a clear pattern of suppression of freedom of expression within the framework of the current Saudi Leadership, with specific reference to social media platform utilization. Strict sentences, claims of ‘bad laws’, and subsequent criticism against this practice indicate a lack of alignment with globally accepted human rights standards as outlined by international agreements and organizations. These insights are vital in comprehending the broader socio-political landscape in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the intersection of technology, politics, and individual freedoms in contemporary society.