Ahead of the G20 summit in November, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC joined multiple international human rights groups in calling for countries to refuse to participate unless detained women’s rights activists in the G20’s host country - Saudi Arabia - were released.  

At the time of her statement the UK government was still expected to attend the summit, as it later did. The summit took place on the 21-22 November 2020 virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was chaired by the current crown prince of Saudi Arabia - Mohammed bin Salman. 

DETENTION OF WOMEN ACTIVISTS 

It is estimated that over 20 women’s rights activists have been detained in conditions which constitute an ‘unacceptable abuse of human beings’, having been subjected to physical, mental and sexual torture. In a video statement ahead of her report, A Stain on World Leaders and the G20, Baroness Kennedy QC laid out the charges against the activists, including “speaking to British journalists for a documentary” and “initiating a campaign on Twitter to request a new constitution”, before concluding that “none of these [offences] would amount to crimes in any decent nation, and that is the problem”. She argued that the women were really detained because “they are advocating for women’s rights, and it is seen as an affront to the power structures of Saudi Arabia”. 

One activist who has been detained by the Saudi government for over two years without trial is Loujain al-Hathloul. She campaigned for an end to the ban on women driving, as well as  the country’s system of male guardianship which curtails women’s freedom by necessitating male authority for several key life decisions. Her family have said that throughout her detainment the authorities have subjected her to electric shocks, whippings, and sexual harassment.

A REFORMIST AGENDA OR A FAÇADE?

Crown Prince Salman has attempted to present himself as a reforming moderniser, especially in the realm of women’s rights. To further this aim, he has made some progress in dismantling restrictions on daily life, by allowing women to drive and curtailing the powers of religious police who patrol women’s clothing, as well as relationships between men and women. However, these reforms on their own have been decried by critics as superficial. A recent report from Human Rights Watch stated that without an environment conducive to the free expression and open demands of rights, there can be no room for further advances.  

Al-Hathloul’s sister, Lina, attacked the hypocrisy of the G20-linked W20 summit - also hosted by Riyadh - which was held virtually from the 20-22 October 2020. As part of the event, attendees were asked to ‘dare to imagine a world where women’s equality is a reality and where social, economic, and political justice are enjoyed by all’. Lina responded by pointing out that within Saudi Arabia, women’s rights activists such as her sister were being kept ‘behind bars’ for seeking that very goal.

SAUDI STANDS BY DETENTIONS AMIDST CALLS FOR CHANGE

On 10 November 2020, an article in the Guardian reported the Saudi ambassador to the UK’s statement that the country was considering granting clemency to the detained female activists, as a result of the political damage caused. However, Al-Jazeera has since reported that the Saudi embassy has denied such a claim ever having been made. Baroness Kennedy QC also commented that she was ‘not reassured by the comments of the Saudi Ambassador…people are [often] re-arrested soon after the moment has passed’. 

The G20 summit covered a variety of themes including sustainable development and health issues relating to the pandemic. Baroness Kennedy QC, however, concluded her speech by directly addressing the Saudi government, saying: “against a backdrop of what’s happening to these women, there’s a taint on anything that might be discussed, and on your hospitality as hosts”.

Henrietta is a current GDL student and Gray's Inn scholar. After completing her degree in Politics at the University of Cambridge, she completed the graduate scheme at a a public affairs firm in London. She now hopes to pursue a career at the Bar.

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