Saudi Arabia Executes Journalist Turki Al-Jasser After Seven Years in Detention

Saudi Arabian authorities reported that over 269,000 individuals without permits were stopped from entering Mecca for this year's Hajj pilgrimage. The crackdown is part of efforts to manage overcrowding, which officials claim has resulted in numerous fatalities during previous ceremonies, particularly during instances of extreme heat. As of now, approximately 1.4 million authorized Muslims are in the city, with more expected to arrive. The government has enacted severe penalties for unauthorized participation, including fines of up to $5,000 and possible deportation for both local citizens and residents. During a press conference, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari emphasized, “The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.” In a related move, authorities have penalized over 23,000 residents for violating Hajj regulations and revoked permits from 400 Hajj companies. Furthermore, for the first time, drones are being deployed for surveillance and fire prevention during the pilgrimage, reflecting advancements in safety measures amidst historical concerns over casualties during the event.

Activists and former inmates have exposed severe abuses at Saudi Arabia's “Dar al-Reaya” or “care homes,” which are officially labeled as rehabilitation centers for vulnerable women. According to a recent report by The Guardian, these facilities, established in the 1960s, have been described as places of torment, featuring weekly floggings, forced religious indoctrination, and complete isolation from the outside world. Maryam Aldossari, a London-based Saudi activist, noted that young women are held until they comply with strict rules. Reports indicate multiple instances of suicide or attempted suicide due to the harsh conditions, as women are often confined for years without the ability to leave unless granted permission by a male guardian. Sarah Al-Yahia, an advocate against these institutions, highlighted ghastly conditions including strip searches and virginity tests. In response to the allegations, a Saudi government spokesperson defended the homes as specialized facilities, denying any mistreatment claims and stating that women can leave at any time without needing a guardian's approval.

Recent investigations have shed light on Saudi Arabia's "Dar al-Reaya," or care homes for women, which are officially promoted as rehabilitation shelters. According to The Guardian, former inmates and activists have described these facilities as sites of severe mistreatment, including weekly floggings, forced religious indoctrination, and complete isolation from the outside world. Maryam Aldossari, a Saudi activist, commented that women often remain in these homes until they conform to strict behavioral rules. Sarah Al-Yahia, who is campaigning for the abolition of these institutions, shared distressing accounts of women undergoing extreme measures such as strip searches and virginity tests. These practices exemplify what activists label as a calculated strategy by the Saudi regime to control and punish women. Despite these allegations, a Saudi government spokesperson insisted that the care homes are specialized facilities where women can leave freely without needing permission from male guardians, rejecting claims of abuse. As gender-based violence remains a contentious issue, activists are calling for genuine support systems for vulnerable women instead of punitive measures.