Movements Monday TwitterChat Summary: Lessons on #SaudiRights with Young Activists from the Kingdom
As part of the ongoing Movements Monday series focusing on digital human rights activism around the world, this past week Movements.org joined a panel of young Saudi activists to discuss the building momentum for human rights reform in Saudi Arabia. The January 14 TwitterChat took place two years to the day after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was forced to flee his country by popular uprisings and was granted safe stay in one of the world's most repressive nations.
اليوم سيكون نقاش بالانجليزية عن النشطاء السعوديين، من قبل @aym الساعة ٨ مساء على وسم #SaudiRights لمزيد من التفاصيل movements.org/blog/entry/mov…
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
Movements Monday Preview: #Saudirights #Twitter chat with Saudi Activists: movements.org/blog/entry/mov…
— Muslim News Alert (@MuslimNewsAlert) January 13, 2013
The chat was insightful from the start, with activists describing the biggest obstacles to reform in the Kingdom. Answers ranged from fear of speaking out to the use of blasphemy prosecutions to silence dissent.
#Saudi Arabia uses capital offence of ‘apostasy’ to stifle debate amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-… via @amnesty #SaudiRights #KSA
— نون عربية (@NoonArabia) January 14, 2013
@aym not having any written laws & hence not knowing what is okay & what isn't has to be the biggest one.#SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
.@aym so every time we tweet or write a blog-post, we're worried this might be a reason for our detention! #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
Using the power of money and demonizing revolutions #ArabSpring is one of the ways of the regime to stop #SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
One of the major obstacles is that fact that cyberactivism has been mostly virtual with very few ties to the "afk" life. #SaudiRights @aym
— أسامة خالد (@osamakfa) January 14, 2013
@aym not having the correct education of what is a basic human right and the severe oppression of the regime #SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
There are young activists arrested for their writings on Twitter, such as Yahya Wadi'i, Badr thawab, Muhannad Mohaimeed#SaudiRights
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights any peaceful demonosteation is banned in saudi arabia. 3
— طلال صالح(@freedom_Yard) January 14, 2013
@noonarabia @aym There is no definition for human rights in the Saudi government dictionary unless it fits its agenda #Saudirights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
The lack of free speech, and the fears about what happens if you speak out, means that gaining a good understanding of what's happening inside the country is extremely difficult, especially for those living outside. Many media reports, it seems, are not trusted by activists.
Have you found any media in #Saudi or international that has been sympathetic to your cause? Even on YouTube? #SaudiRights?
— Ahed Al Hendi (@Ahedalhendi) January 14, 2013
@ahedalhendi There are no media in #Saudi that is sympathetic to #SaudiRights as they are mostly owned by the government.
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
nytimes.com/roomfordebate/… this was published in nytimes basically saying Saudis don't want democracy & change!@aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights partially yes, but still there are a series of questioning and public trial for activists who are making impact on public.
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
@aym They rarely cover the roots. eg they'd cover *appointing* women in Shura Council, but not the fact that it's appointed! #SaudiRights
— أسامة خالد (@osamakfa) January 14, 2013
Where to turn, then? Al Jazeera; the Al-Hiwar channel, which is stationed in London; and human rights groups like Amnesty International got shoutouts, but social media and personal blogs were the overwhelming favorite. That's an amazing fact given the lack of free speech in Saudi Arabia, as well as a testament to the bravery of activists and ordinary citizens who are willing to speak out from both within and outside of the country.
#SaudiRights never ever go to govermental media. I will recomend aljazera channel.
— طلال صالح(@freedom_Yard) January 14, 2013
I find Alhiwar channel fair & interested in activism in Saudi & the 30,000 prisoners cause. @ahedalhendi @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
@aym Human rights watch and amnesty international, I know they are not the kind of media people follow, but they tell u more #Saudirights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
But in general, only online we can have the chance to speak up. Whether via blogs, twitter, facebook, etc. @ahedalhendi @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
@aym #SaudiRightsi think ppl and free channels like twitter r the best, never go for gov media where truths r turn to bunch of lies. !!
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
@aym we dont have free media n #Saudi , you can follow the users of twitter like human rights activists #SaudiRights
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
@aymthose accounts is free media @moiviolations @e3teqal @acprahr @freealbjadi @riyadhbureau @globalvoices @__w3i#SaudiRights
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
A question about the Royal family and how much support it has inside the country prompted a mixed bag of interesting responses.
Q6: RT @ahedalhendi: some says that the Royal family in Saudi enjoys lot of popular support? Do you agree with that? #SaudiRights
— AYM (@aym) January 14, 2013
@aym @ahedalhendi Many people think they provide stability, but there's accelerating anger over bad management and corruption. #SaudiRights
— أسامة خالد (@osamakfa) January 14, 2013
@ahedalhendi There are no stat to know for sure, the voices of those supporting the royal family is loud and clear#SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@ahedalhendi but voices opposing or calling for constitutional monarchy for example is started to be heard #SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@the_hadeel @aym @ahedalhendi #SaudiRights that's a problem,essence of rights doesn't require "legitimacy" rights are standalone all times
— Fadi Al-Qadi (@fqadi) January 14, 2013
@aym @ahedalhendi #SaudiRightsthere is a strategic media mislead sponsored by the gov to make a good reputation but this is not the truth
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
@wafagal @ahedalhendi With this current situation of corruption, employment ...etc, I think the number of opposers is growing #SaudiRights
— عبدالرحمن♫♪┘|∵|└♫♪ (@3bdurra7man) January 14, 2013
@wafagal @ahedalhendi I believe the supporters R afraid from the alternatives."at least we live in peace in an inflamed region" #SaudiRights
— عبدالرحمن♫♪┘|∵|└♫♪ (@3bdurra7man) January 14, 2013
@wafagal @ahedalhendi at the end even the opposers want a peaceful change toward democracy and constitutional monarchy #SaudiRights
— عبدالرحمن♫♪┘|∵|└♫♪ (@3bdurra7man) January 14, 2013
Despite the serious obstacles, many Saudis are willing to speak up for the fundamental rights they want to see in their country. When asked about what those were, the respondents cited the basic, universal human rights that most of the world, and international law, recognize and protect.
#SaudiRights People of SA needs to know that they are born free and all are equal, they need to know their basic human rights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights Saudi activists from different backgrounds should unite against the oppression of the government.
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights that governments are there to serve you not to torture you .
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
Freedom of thought, conscience and religionis a human right #SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
Freedom from torture is a human right #SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights the case of all prisoners of conscience should be priory to all activist .
— عزيزة اليوسف (@azizayousef) January 14, 2013
Long for gender, sectarian, tribal, & political divisions set aside &rights respected on basis of our common identity as humans#SaudiRights
— Bayan (@BintBattuta87) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights @azizayousef: The hope that people will be aware of their rights and start to push to have them
— عزيزة اليوسف (@azizayousef) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights. The protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation in Islam and we should all protect it
— عزيزة اليوسف (@azizayousef) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights. Women should start to understand their rights and demand them what is good yesterday is not good enough today
— عزيزة اليوسف (@azizayousef) January 14, 2013
@aym #SaudiRights Our aim is to creat a background for a better awareness and understanding of human rights from both the gov and poeple.
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
"@aym: @priyanica:What do #SaudiRights activists think about migrant workers' rights? Are there ppl in Saudi working on this?" Yes @falmalki
— منال الشريف (@manal_alsharif) January 14, 2013
Do you know how muchwe lack #SaudiRights ? I fear arrested participating in this, and I am sure many #Saudi feel the same.
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
The activists encouraged others to speak out, too. Media, civil society, and governments around the world should be pressured to stand up and pay attention to the scale of injustices in the Kingdom.
Since our government has charged many activists & HR defenders with "discrediting" the gov, it's clear that's its concern @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
@the_hadeel it's reputation in the west.So I'm hoping we can raise enough awareness to create enough pressure on it to stop@aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
we see how Western nations can pressure the government only forwomen driving, but do not do it for a man tortured in prison #SaudiRights
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
this makes us marvel at the hypocrisy that comes from these countries, what the most important car or human #SaudiRights
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
@aym put pressure on the MOI to open prisons, and to investigate crimes of imprisonment and torture the thousands of detainees #SaudiRights
— jihad abdullah (@CheJihad) January 14, 2013
the Saudi regime won't go on with his lack of respect for #SaudiRights if the world spoke about the abuse.
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@the_hadeel by the help of HR organizations & public support of course. @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
Finally, many of the respondents said that despite the ongoing arrests, threats, and violence, there may be hope for reform in the Kingdom. We've seen online efforts build momentum—hashtags like #Women2Drive and #Tal3mrak have flourished—and even emboldened some to take to the streets demanding change in the Kingdom of Repression. These activists see hope.
@aym #SaudiRights calling freely for rights is the first step to gain them specially in dictatorships, thus we are leading public to way.
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
@aym Some voices that are demanding #SaudiRights are being heard widely so we need to work on that and improve the other tools
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@aymr human rights is a new term in #Saudi but I am optimist that #SaudiRights will improve,we lose some and win some but it will take time
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@ahedalhendi but voices are starting to rise and there are lights starting to shed on #SaudiRights from media outside #Saudi
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@aym #SaudiRightswe r now planting the seeds of democracy and a larger awareness of hunan rights, hoping to see freedom fields tomorrow.
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
@aym #SaudiRightsthe impact is growing more and more as there are lots of problems floating to public and enhancing our views of democracy
— zanah al shehri (@ZanahAl) January 14, 2013
#SaudiRights we believes in ourselves and oue ability to make the change. First step is to increase puplic awaernees about human rights.
— طلال صالح(@freedom_Yard) January 14, 2013
What can be done next? Continue to read about, write about, and talk about the Saudi situation.
@the_hadeel On that note, for all of our friends & followers: please RT & discuss the tweets from #SaudiRights chat as widely as possible!
— AYM (@aym) January 14, 2013
@noonarabia @aym to overcome it we need the work of every activists from different background, their cooperation will establish #SaudiRights
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
@aym individual need to raise their voices about #Saudirights and make it heard by governments of the world,
— Wafa' (@WafaGal) January 14, 2013
Individuals can help by following our "struggle", spreading the word & taking small actions like blogging/tweeting abt it @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
Pressuring their govs in anyway possible to stop turning a blind eye to us b/c of the advantages our oil gives them @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
And in case my fellow activists & I get arrested for this chat, write about us? :) @aym #SaudiRights
— هديل محمّد (@The_hadeel) January 14, 2013
Join in with your questions and comments using #SaudiRights or leave comments below. If you'd like to follow the entire discussion, it has been archived on Storify by @NoonArabia here.
