Hey! Have you heard the rumors WWE is heading back to Saudi Arabia in November?
Sure, that may be just days after WWE Evolution. You know, the groundbreaking all-women PPV?
And, yeah, women couldn’t wrestle at Greatest Royal Rumble... or be seen wrestling in a video advertisement... or attend the event without following the “rules.”
But don’t you know Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman let women drive!
BASKING IN the glow of international praise for allowing women to drive, Saudi Arabia issued a self-congratulatory press release June 27, saying Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s young ruler, wanted to go further with his “Vision 2030” project. “Advancing the role of women is an important element” of the plan, the press release declared. However, it appears that allowing women to voice their opinions is not part of the plan. Instead, the crown prince is throwing them in jail.
The most recent victims are two women’s rights activists, Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah, both apparently detained for their outspoken advocacy. Ms. Badawi was a recipient of the 2012 International Women of Courage Award from the State Department. The citation described her as “a powerful voice” advocating for women’s suffrage and against the guardianship system, under which women cannot marry, work or travel without the permission of a guardian or male relative.
...oh.
But, I mean, it’s not like they’re trying to execute a woman for such crimes as “participating in protests and ‘provoking’ young people to do the same.”
Prosecutors in Saudi Arabia are seeking the death penalty for five activists in the country’s Eastern Province, according to Saudi activists and Human Rights Watch. Among those being targeted is Israa al-Ghomgham, who Saudi groups say would be the first female human rights activist to be put to death in the Saudi kingdom if the execution proceeds.
“Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behavior, is monstrous,” Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. “Every day, the Saudi monarchy’s unrestrained despotism makes it harder for its public relations teams to spin the fairy tale of ‘reform’ to allies and international business.”
Well, at least the profits will be good!
Then.
Now.
Forever.
- Check out our Raw reactions and recap and then head over to the video highlights.
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- We know a few more matches for Super Show-Down in Australia.
- There’s a bunch of ALL IN news and updates over here.
- Also, SummerSlam’s 2019 location is official.
- I hope you’re not sick of the Izzy debate yet, because it’s not going anywhere.
No gif today, instead, scroll back up and re-read those quotes.