Open Letter Calling for the Immediate Release of Salma al-Shehab
Open Letter Calling for the Immediate Release of Salma al-Shehab
We the undersigned academics, students and university employees call for the immediate release of Salma al-Shehab; a University of Leeds PhD student and woman’s rights activist, who was sentenced to 27 years’ imprisonment in Saudi Arabia on the basis of peaceful tweets.
Al-Shehab, a dental hygienist and mother of two young children, was arrested on 15 January 2021 after travelling to Saudi Arabia for a holiday from her home in Leeds in the UK, where she was studying for her PhD. She was kept in solitary confinement and questioned over a period of nine and a half months before being brought before Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court (SCC). The SCC was set up with a remit to handle terrorism cases, but the authorities have systematically used it to target peaceful critics and human rights defenders, such as al-Shehab.
Al-Shehab was sentenced under Saudi Arabia’s draconian Counter-Terrorism Law, facing charges including publishing tweets “that disrupt the public order”, in connection with posts on her Twitter account where she expressed support for Saudi prisoners of conscience such as women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul.
Initially handed a six-year sentence in March 2022, her sentence was increased to 34 years in August 2022 during the appeal process, one of the longest known prison sentences handed down against a peaceful activist for their free speech in Saudi Arabia. It was reduced to 27 years in January 2023 following a retrial and at the same time a 27-year travel ban was also imposed. Her case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
We note that Saudi Arabia’s authorities are actively seeking international partnerships, including with UK universities. Such engagements should not veil the dire human rights situation in Saudi Arabia but allow for positive change in the country. Saudi Arabia’s internationalisation strategy makes it susceptible to respecting all terms and obligations of its international engagements, and such calls can lead to human rights victories, such as the release of prisoners of conscience.
We call upon
- The University of Leeds Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Hai-Sui Yu and Pro-Chancellor Alastair Da Costa to join our call that Salma al-Shehab should be immediately released and allowed to safely return to the UK to resume her PhD studies.
- The UK government to use its influence with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and take the following action:
- Use all means possible to secure prison access, and to secure access to observe her trial hearings;
- Exert public and private pressure on the Saudi Arabian authorities for her immediate and unconditional release, and safe return to the UK.
Salma should be re-united with her family and allowed to return to the UK to finish her PhD studies.
Name | Job Title or Role | Your Institution |
Aylwyn Walsh | Professor | University of Leeds |
Kelly Lloyd | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Oliver Phillips | Professor | University of Leeds |
Gwilym Selwood | IT Process Lead | University of Leeds |
Stephen Bradley | NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Sally Dalton | University of Leeds | |
Megan J Povey | Professor of Food Physics | University of Leeds |
Stella Darby | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Emily Haikney | Learning Advisor | University of Leeds |
Nicholas Shaw | PhD student | University of Leeds |
Ariana Phillips-Hutton | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Janet Watson | Professor | University of Leeds |
Dr Nikki Rousseau | University Academic Fellow | University of Leeds |
Andrea Rylands | Information Governance Manager, Leeds Institute of Data Analytics. | University of Leeds |
Amy Russell | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Rachel Walls | Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Anthony Bracuti | PGR | University of Leeds |
Noel Cass | Research Fellow in Energy Demand Behaviour | ITS, University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Research fellow & PhD student | University of Leeds |
Dr Rosie Fox | Lecturer in Legal Education | University of Leeds |
Aisha Walker | UCU Branch President | University of Leeds |
Poppy Leeder | Research Manager | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Language Teacher | University of Leeds |
Anna Sborgi | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Natalie Kopytko | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
George Holmes | Professor | University of Leeds |
Cat Lane | VSTS Team Assistant | University of Leeds |
Olivia W | Staff member | University of Leeds |
Anja Komatar | Maths Support Advisor | University of Leeds |
Claire Morton | Library Research Centre Manager | University of Leeds |
Rosario Michel-Villarreal | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Library staff member | University of Leeds |
Eric Kemp-Benedict | Associate Professor | School of Earth and Environment |
Liev Cherry | Digital Learning Advisor | University of Leeds |
Gill Park | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Alice Kay | Library Research Support Assistant | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Senior research fellow | University of Leeds |
Sarah Lahm | Postgraduate Researcher | University of Leeds |
Matthew Elliott | Lecturer in Applied Performance and Global Challenges | University of Leeds |
Chris Dietz | Lecturer in Law & Social Justice | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Staff member | Leeds University |
Name Withheld | research fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Lucy Kearns | Disability Advisor | University of Leeds |
Paula Sutcliffe | Contextual Admissions Lead Officer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Executive Assistant | University of Leeds |
Rebecca Hayden | Management Support Officer | University of Leeds |
Emma Grantham | Librarian | University of Leeds |
Chloe Hay | Student Support Officer | LCS |
Richard Caves | Library Customer Services Co-ordinator | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Jenny Love | University of Leeds | |
Amelia Bradley-Newby | Project Officer | University of Leeds |
Jo Hudson | University of Leeds | |
Ellis Soothill | Staff member | University of Leeds |
Gemma Rose-Dobson | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Kate Hardy | Professor of Global Labour | University of Leeds |
Tom Davies | University of Leeds | |
Judith Baulch | Assistant SES Manager (SOEE) | University of Leeds |
Paul Hayes | Senior Policy Fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Data Officer | University of Leeds |
Mette Wiggen | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Zoe Ward | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Caitlin Cullen | SES | University of Leeds |
Xanthe Whittaker | Campaigns Officer, University of Leeds UCU | University of Leeds |
Lizzie Blowey | Portfolio Research Officer | University of Leeds |
Philippa Johnstone | Senior Research Administrator | University of Leeds |
Meg House | Communications Officer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Sam Lee | Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Kit Skailes | Administrator | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Staff member | University of Leeds |
Anna Winter | Leeds University | |
Ellen Ricketts | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Staff member | University of Leeds |
Martin Pelan | Student Support Manager | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Staff member | University of Leeds |
Alan Roe | Lecturer | Leeds University Business School |
Alexandra Seehaus | Post-Doctoral Fellow | University of Leeds Business School |
Lata Narayanaswamy | Associate Professor in the Politics of Global Development | POLIS, University of Leeds |
Frances Hemsley | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Caroline Wise | University of Leeds | |
Madeleine Le Bourdon | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Residence Service Supervisor; undergraduate alumnus (2023) | University of Leeds |
Sahla Aroussi | Associate professor | University of Leeds, POLIS |
Janet Feather-Moore | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Laura Considine | University of Leeds | |
Gerard Looker | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Helen Norman | Associate Professor | Leeds University Business School |
Name Withheld | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Katharine Johnston | Lecturer | University of Lincoln |
Dr. Jo Cutter | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Gabriella Alberti | Associate professor | University of Leeds |
Marije Davidson | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Staff member | University of Leeds |
Nely Konstantinova | Research Assistant | University of Leeds |
Jack Simpson | Visiting Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Marketa Dolezalova | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Ursula Balderson | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Katia | University of Leeds | |
Daniel Colson | Postgraduate Researcher | University of Leeds |
Mehmet Dogar | Associate Professor | University of Leeds, School of Computing |
Valeria Tolis | University of Leeds | |
Richard Bettie | IT Analyst | University of Leeds |
Alice Borchi | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | PhD student | University of Leeds |
Bruce Turnbull | Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry | University of Leeds |
Helen Finch | Professor of German Literature | University of Leeds |
Adrian Martin | Tutorial Assistant | University of Leeds |
James Greenwood-Reeves | Lecturer in Law | University of Leeds |
Ali Fildes | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Amy Downing | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Joanne Armitage | University of Leeds | |
Jo Kershaw | Post graduate researcher | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Assoc. Professor | University of Leeds |
Helen Butt | Lecturer in EAP | University of Leeds |
Markus Fraundorfer | Lecturer in Global Governance | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Isabel Skinner | Fundraising Assistant | University of Leeds |
Richard Cleminson | Professor of Hispanic Studies | University of Leeds |
Esra Ugurlu | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Lauren Wray | University of Leeds | |
Paul Waley | Honorary Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Dr. Kris Dunn | Associate Professor in Quantitative Political Psychology | University of Leeds, School of Politics and International Studies |
Ana Tiganescu | Senior Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Samuel Smith | Professor of Behavioural Oncology | University of Leeds |
Marco Califano | Associate professor | University of Leeds |
Ruth Winden | Careers with Research Consultant | University of Leeds |
Erin Raif | Postgraduate Researcher | University of Leeds |
Laurene Soubise | Lecturer in Law | University of Leeds |
Felix Schulz | Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Rebecca Beeken | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Irena Grugulis | Professor of Work and Skills | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Lecturer in Computing | University of Leeds |
Asiya Islam | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Rebecca Simmons | PhD Candidate | University of Leeds |
Stewart Jennings | University of Leeds | |
Geoff Goodwin | Lecturer in Global Political Economy | University of Leeds |
Charles Umney | Professor of International Work and Employment | Leeds University Business School |
Ruth Daly | Lecturer, Cultural Studies | University of Leeds |
Beth Johnson | Professor | University of Leeds |
Dr Stefan Kesting | lecturer teaching & scholarship | Leeds University Business School |
Denise de Pauw | SENIOR LECTURER | UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS LANGUAGE CENTRE |
Professor Chris Paterson | Professor of Global Communication | University of Leeds |
Vicki Grimshaw | Asbestos Officer | University of Leeds |
Gary Dymski | Professor of Applied Economics | University of Leeds |
Georgia Tomova | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Rob Utley | Project Manager | Leeds University |
Laurence Wright | Assistant Manager: Education and Managed Programmes | University of Leeds |
Dr Milada Walkova, FHEA | Lecturer in EAP | University of Leeds |
Dr. Roger Brock | University of Leeds | |
Jared West | Professor of Hydrogeology | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
James Dickins | Prof. of Arabic (Emeritus) | University of Leeds |
Diane Nelson | Senior Lecturer in Linguistics | University of Leeds |
Chloe Wallace | Associate Professor in Law | University of Leeds |
Taryn Bell | Researcher Development Advisor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Project Officer | University of Leeds |
Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths | Researcher Developer Advisor | University of Leeds |
Helen Steward | Professor of Philosophy of Mind and Action | University of Leeds |
Claudia Rogers | Academic Practice Manager | University of Leeds |
Sam Wyman | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Learning Designer | University of Leeds |
Katie Nicholls | Digital Design Lead | University of Leeds |
Adrian Wilson | Senior Lecturer in History of Medicine | University of Leeds |
Laura Redsell | Evaluation and Innovation Manager | University of Leeds |
Sinead D’Silva | Research Assistant | University of Leeds |
Laura Loyola Hernandez | University of Leeds | |
Serena Turton-Hughes | PhD researcher | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Postgraduate Researcher | Sociology and Social Policies |
Karsten Kohler | Associate Professor in Economics | University of Leeds |
Tim Procter | Leeds | |
Matt Homer | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Reinhard Huss | Retired Public Health Academic | University of Leeds |
Elisabetta Adami | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Dr Jared Jeyaretnam | Postdoctoral research fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Programmes Manager | University of Leeds |
Ciara Middleton | University of Leeds | |
Dr Jess Baker | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Owen Radford-Lloyd | Senior Analyst | University of Leeds |
Hilary Griffiths Steel | Senior Admissions Systems Manager | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Senior Research Technician | University of Leeds |
Dr Grace Roberts | Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Jouna Ukkonen | University of Leeds | |
Julia Snell | Professor of Sociolinguistics | University of Leeds |
Dr Gemma Ashwell | Clinical Lecturer and General Practitioner | University of Leeds |
Laura Stubbs | Leeds | |
Nike Doggart | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Shirley-Anne Paul | Senior Project Manager | University of Leeds |
Camilla Nykjaer | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Marion Hetherington | Professor Emerita | University of Leeds |
Vicki Skeet | University of Leeds | |
Briony Thomas | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Carly Reddington | Postdoctoral researcher | University of Leeds |
Romain Cames | Bike Hub Co-ordinator | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | MSc student | University of Leeds |
Rachel Heaton | Project Administrative Assistant | University of Leeds |
Jordan Thirlwall | Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Honorary Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Greta Dargie | Postgraduate Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Cat Scott | University Academic Fellow | University of Leeds |
Yvonne Barnard | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Sicily Fiennes | PhD Student | University of Leeds |
Miriam Kent | Lecturer in Film and Media | University of Leeds |
Stuart Hodkinson | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Vicky Blake | Contextual Outreach lead officer / Leeds UCU Branch Sec | University of Leeds |
Sandy James | Research fellow | University of Leeds |
Nigel Bubb | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Jo Huett | Student | University of Leeds |
Dr Jonathan Price | Lecturer in Creativity & Enterprise | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Maria Rovisco | Associate Professor in Sociology | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Asa Roast | Lecturer in Urban Geography | University of Leeds, School of Geography |
Deirdre McKenna | Lecturer in EAP | University of Leeds |
Casey Dickinson | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Dr Scott Palmer | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Andy Stafford | Professor of French | University of Leeds |
Katie McQuaid | University of Leeds | |
Catherine O’Sullivan | IDEALS facilitator | University of Leeds |
Andrew Kemp | Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Bethan Bide | Lecturer in Design and Cultural Theory | University of Leeds |
Stefan Skrimshire | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Tim Ensor | Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University Academic Fellow | University of Leeds |
Dr Sam Durrant | Associate Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Lecturer in Brand Communications | University of Leeds |
Ian Lawrie | Emeritus Professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Dr Robin Bon | Associate Professor of Chemical Biology | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Dr Alison Andrews | Lecturer in Performance Practice | University of Leeds |
Alfie Howard | Postgraduate researcher | University of Leeds (School of English) |
Marine Krzisch | Lecturer in neuroscience | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Professor | Mathematics |
Corinne Painter | Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies | University of Leeds |
Faith Castle | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Michelle Schneider | Learning Advisor | University of Leeds |
Alix Brodie-Wray | Faculty Impact Development Manager | University of Leeds |
Marcelo Pessoa de Miranda | Lecturer | School of Chemistry |
Angela Hulme | Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Business Manager | University of Leeds |
Jennifer Rodley | PGR Support Officer | University of Leeds |
William Goodman | Research Fellow | University of Leeds |
Patrick Glen | Lecturer in Cultural Industries | Leeds University |
Melanie Brunner | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Sean Fear | Lecturer in International History | University of Leeds |
Diana Holmes | Professor of French | University of Leeds |
Hugh Brown | Lecturer in Cultural Industries | University of Leeds |
Clare Patton | Lecturer in Law | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Emily Williams | Student Education Service Officer | University of Leeds/AHC |
Richard Badger | Senior Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Associate professor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Professional Staff | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Research fellow | University of Leeds |
Ben Dunn | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Conor O’Reilly | Professor of Transnational Crime and Security | University of Leeds |
Mathilde Rainard | PhD Candidates | University of Leeds |
Dr Jeremy Davies | Associate Professor of English | University of Leeds |
Ingrid Sharp | Professor of German Cultural and Gender History | Leeds |
Name Withheld | Research | University of Leeds – LIHS |
Yasmin Hafiz | University of Leeds | |
Alec Watson | University of Leeds | |
Karima | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Learning Advisor | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Management Support Officer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Postgraduate researcher | University of Leeds |
James Souter | Lecturer in Political Theory | University of Leeds |
Emma McDowell | Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Leeds |
Paul Chatterton | Professor Geography | University of Leeds |
Jim House | Senior Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Paul Timms | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
Nick Efford | Senior Teaching Fellow | University of Leeds |
Jonathan Busch | Lecturer | University of Leeds |
S. Sayyid | Professor of Social Theory | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | PhD student | University of Leeds |
Eloise Russell | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Esther Greenwood | Student | Earth and Environment |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | SOEE | |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Staff | University of Leeds |
Iris Allan | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Project Support Officer | University of Leeds |
Maria Radeva | Administrative Assistant | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | The University of Leeds | |
Paul Rowe | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Professional Staff | University of Leeds |
Jenny Rivas Perez | Academic Development Consultant / UCU Branch Equality Officer | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | earth and evironment | |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Orla Smith | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Asmita Babanrao Jamankar | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | student | University of leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | student | University of Leeds |
Alisha Ault | University of Leeds | |
Hali Plant | Water Audit Co-ordinator & Part time Masters student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | STUDENT | UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS |
Name Withheld | student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | Student | University of Leeds |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds | |
Name Withheld | University of Leeds |
This page was last updated on 25 March 2024