Amnesty: release Saudi activists

Various human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, condemn the arrests of seven prominent Saudi women's rights activists.

The decision to put an end to a decade-long ban on driving cars by women is praised as evidence of a new, progressive course among the reformist crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, but is accompanied by a harsh approach to dissidents.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch summoned the authorities Friday to release the prisoners. 'It seems that the only 'crime' these activists committed was that women wanted to drive before Mohammed bin Salman suggested that,' said Sarah Leah Whitson, director of Human Rights Watch in the Middle East.

From 24 June women are allowed to drive in the country. However, activists and analysts say that the government wants to avoid rewarding activism that is forbidden in the absolute monarchy.

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