Human rights campaigners say players in a 'really bad spot' after women's tour moves its biggest event to Riyadh for next three years
Human rights campaigners say players in a 'really bad spot' after women's tour moves its biggest event to Riyadh for next three yearsThe women’s professional tennis tour has forced its players to choose between silence in the face of oppression or risk heavy-handed police state sanction in Saudi Arabia, according to a leading human rights group.
“It’s certainly an invidious situation for players who would be expected to speak up about human rights in Saudi Arabia, when the Saudi government has authorised targeted killings for people who do just that.“You complain about women’s rights conditions, you end up in jail and tortured. She adds: “It’s only since 2018 that women and girls have even been allowed to drive and play sports. Yes, there has been some progress in that area, and it has been due entirely to the women’s rights activists, many of whom have suffered imprisonment and torture.
One of those is Loujain al-Hathloul, a prominent campaigner in the movement to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia who was. While she has been released from jail, she is still subject to a travel ban and her freedoms within Saudi Arabia are believed to be limited.
The WTA has previously stood up in the face of financial and political pressure; when Peng Shuai went missing in China after allegations of sexual assault against a high-ranking Communist Party official, Steve Simon led the world in asking for proof of her safety – although“Maybe the world would not have seen her again if the WTA hadn’t insisted. I think that’s a direct parallel,” adds Worden.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What we know about Saudi Arabia’s $2bn offer to buy professional tennisThe deal would merge the men's and women's professional tours and take a top-level tennis event to Saudi Arabia every January
Read more »
WTA Finals: Saudi Arabia to host showpiece women's tennis event in Riyadh from 2024-2026Saudi Arabia will host the next three editions of the WTA Finals, the season-ending showpiece event of the women's tennis tour.
Read more »
I’ve just beat cancer and people call me one of the happiest people in Oswaldtwistle!This songwriter sings about his beloved home town and is ‘loved by many’.
Read more »
Four people arrested after more than 200,000 people attend pro-Palestine London protestThe march, part organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, was part of a national demonstration calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Read more »
Aerith's fate in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the trouble with remakesEd has an interest in streaming, people and communities, and giving a voice to marginalised people.
Read more »
Elden Ring's iconic Dark Moon Greatsword replica available for £360Ed has an interest in streaming, people and communities, and giving a voice to marginalised people.
Read more »