Activist tells UN forum how Saudis ‘silence dissent’

RIYADH: A Saudi human rights activist on Wednesday appeared remotely at a UN forum to denounce the “silencing” of dissent in the Gulf kingdom.

The appearance of Lina al-Hathloul at the Internet Governance Forum was a rare instance of an outspoken critic of the ruling royal family addressing a gathering on Saudi soil.

Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea described the panel and Hathloul’s speech as “historic”.

Panel organisers began the session with a moment of silence for...