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Speak up for Samar Badawi

A ready letter about this case. Edit it as you wish, then send it from your own address.

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Your Excellency,

I am writing to demand the immediate lifting of the arbitrary travel ban imposed on Samar Badawi, women's rights defender who challenged Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system and campaigned for women's right to drive and vote in Saudi Arabia.

In brief: Samar Badawi challenged Saudi Arabia's male guardianship laws and led campaigns for women's right to drive. Arrested in July 2018, she was held at Dhahban Prison for three years, tortured during interrogation, and prosecuted for sharing information with foreign organisations.

I respectfully urge your authorities to:
  1. Immediately lift the travel ban imposed on Samar Badawi and on any family members affected by the same order;
  2. Restore valid travel documents and remove any border-watch flags placed in connection with peaceful human rights work;
  3. Comply with the ICCPR Article 12 guarantee of freedom of movement.

I will continue to monitor this case until Samar Badawi's freedom of movement is restored.

Respectfully,

[Your name]
[Your city, country]
8 November 2026

Suggested recipients

Saudi Arabia Embassy (London) United Kingdom [email protected]
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders United Nations · OHCHR [email protected]
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention United Nations · OHCHR [email protected]
EU EEAS Human Rights Division European Union [email protected]