King of Saudi Arabia cancels the lashings Shaima Jastaina would have received for opposing the driving ban in the country.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has cancelled the punishment of Shaima Jastania after it was ruled on Tuesday September 27 that she would receive 10 lashings for driving in the country. The announcement came a day after King Abdullah promised to protect women’s rights and announced that women will be allowed to participate in municipal elections in 2015.
Shaima Jastania was found guilty of driving a member of her family to hospital without permission in Jedda, located close to the Red Sea, in July this year.
There is no law in Saudi Arabia stating that women cannot drive; however, police officers may stop and question Muslim women driving in the country, and will often make women sign a pledge stating they will not drive again before letting them go with a caution.
Princess Amira Al-Taweel, married to Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, is an active supporter of women’s right drive in Saudi Arabia.
“No matter how many great things we do [we will] always be judged as a country that suppresses women because we’re the only country in the world where women can’t drive,” said Princess Amira.
In a statement today, Change.org director Shelby Knox discussed how Saudi women have now built an international campaign through their petition, gaining support of thousands including US Secretary Catherine Ashton.
“Using Change.org, the Saudi Women for Driving coalition has exercised its voice and encouraged activists everywhere to stand up in solidarity,” Shelby Knox stated. “Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action in their communities, and it has been incredible to watch the campaign gain so much support and momentum throughout the world.”
Female activists in Saudi Arabia created a petition to stop the punishment, gaining almost 25,000 signatures from people in 150 countries.
By Bethan Hâf Marsh
[Image courtesy of Robert Reed Daly]
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