Saudi Arabia is banning many of its citizens, especially activists, from leaving the country in what human rights groups call a cruel way to silence criticism. Women’s rights activists like Loujain al-Hathloul and Maryam al-Otaibi are among those affected, with long travel bans placed on them and sometimes their family members. These bans often follow prison sentences or are discovered when someone tries to leave the country. While Saudi Arabia promotes tourism and hosts global events like the 2034 FIFA World Cup, it is also restricting critics at home. Activists say this creates a false image of freedom, while those banned live in fear and self-censorship. The human rights group ALQST listed 20 people with travel bans, but says there are likely many more. Saudi officials claim the bans follow court or official rulings, but many activists say they have not been formally told about new restrictions placed on them.
Pray for the government of Saudi Arabia to lift the travel ban on human rights activists. Pray for the end of oppression in the country (The Holy Bible, Job 36:6).
Pray for diplomatic pressure by the international authorities to make the Saudi Arabian government accountable for the rights abuses and repression. Pray for more freedom of movement, speech, and expression for all the civilians in the country (The Holy Bible, Psalm 7:1).
News Source: The Guardian
Image Source: Canva
