Saudi women push challenge to driving ban
Feb 5, 2012, 7:26 AM
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Saudi women leading a campaign against the kingdom’s ban on female driving are calling on the courts to take up their lawsuits demanding the right to drive.
Manal al-Sherif said Sunday that she and another woman activist are urging judicial authorities to begin proceedings on complaints they lodged after being refused driver’s licenses.
Al-Sherif says she filed her suit in November and it was transferred to the Interior Ministry.
Al-Sherif was detained for nearly two weeks last year after posting an online video of herself driving. It helped launch wider protests.
No laws prohibit women from driving, but conservative religious edicts have banned it and officials comply with those.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) _ Saudi women leading a campaign against the kingdom’s ban on female driving are calling on the courts to take up their lawsuits demanding the right to drive.
Manal al-Sherif said Sunday that she and another woman activist are urging judicial authorities to being proceedings on complaints they lodged after being refused driver’s licenses.
Al-Sherif says she filed her suit in November and it was transferred to the Interior Ministry.
Al-Sherif was detained for nearly two weeks last year after posting an online video of herself driving. It helped launch wider protests.
No laws prohibit women from driving, but conservative religious edicts have banned it and officials comply with those.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)