Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry made an announcement Thursday warning women that they will face arrest if they participate in upcoming protests against the kingdom’s ban on female drivers.
The warning comes as a right-to-drive campaign culminates this weekend, at the same time as last year when more than a dozen women were arrested for getting behind the wheel to protest the Saudi law, which is the only of its kind in the world, Reuters reported.
The interior ministry said it will “strictly implement” measures against anyone who “contributes in any manner or by any acts, towards providing violators with the opportunity to undermine the social cohesion,” Agence France-Presse reported.
Campaigners have been pushing on social media for women to get behind the wheel and post pictures online, under the hashtag #IWillDriveMyself, as they did in the run-up to last year’s protest, Reuters said.
More than 2,700 people have signed an online petition at www.oct26driving.com.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.