Saudi Arabia deems feminism and homosexuality forms of 'extremism' in government video

Saudi Arabia’s state security backpedals and takes down clip

Maya Oppenheim
Women's Correspondent
Wednesday 13 November 2019 16:28 GMT
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Same-sex relations are criminalised in Saudi and punishable by the death sentence
Same-sex relations are criminalised in Saudi and punishable by the death sentence

Saudi Arabia’s state security agency has been forced to do a U-turn after it released a video which classified feminism, homosexuality and atheism as extremism and cautioned citizens in the kingdom to be on guard.

The animated promotional video, which has since been taken down, was shared on the verified Twitter account of the State Security Presidency at the weekend.

A narrator on the clip said: “Don’t forget that excess of anything at the expense of the homeland is considered extremism”.

Al Watan, a newspaper allied with the Saudi authorities, bolstered such sentiment by saying in an article on Monday that this type of “extremist behaviour” can be punished by being flogged or getting jail time.

But the security agency, which has now said it is looking into the clip, has said there were a number of errors in the footage and those behind it did not do their job properly.

The government-affiliated Saudi Human Rights Commission issued a statement which did not refer to homosexuality or atheism but clarified feminism was not a crime.

Atheism is illegal and can be disciplined by death in the kingdom. Same-sex relations are also criminalised in Saudi and punishable by the death sentence.

Saudi Arabia imposes a very strict interpretation of Islam known as Wahhabism.

Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa director, said in a statement that: “The Saudi state security agency’s announcement which labels feminism, atheism and homosexuality as extremist ideas punishable by jail and flogging is outrageous – clearly contradicting the Kingdom’s bogus reformist image which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues to flaunt internationally.

“Feminism, atheism and homosexuality are not criminal acts. This announcement is extremely dangerous and has serious implications for the rights to freedom of expression and life, liberty and security in the country.

"It peels away the veneer of progress under Mohammed bin Salman and reveals the Kingdom’s true intolerant face which criminalises people’s identities, as well as progressive and reformist thoughts and ideas at home.

“International silence in the face of the imprisonment of dozens of peaceful Saudi dissidents for their expression is also alarming. Key allies such as the US, UK and EU must pressure the kingdom and highlight the urgent need to protect freedom of expression in the country starting with the release of imprisoned human rights defenders and anyone detained for their peaceful expression”​.

The Middle East’s largest state gave women new rights to travel abroad without a male guardian in August.

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