Saudi Arabia Detains Women's Rights Activists; Felt Women Wanted More Rights Than Driving

Saudi Arabia has detained several prominent female activists who campaigned for women's right to drive motor vehicles, taking the women into custody, The Telegraph website reports today (May 19, 2018).

Human rights groups said the activists demanding women be free to drive were detained on May 17.

The activists were detained as Saudi Arabia prepares for the driving ban of women to come to an end on June 24.

It is believed the women were detained because the Saudi government is concerned they would use the end of the driving to call for further advances in women's freedom -- such as an end to the male guardianship system that severely limits Saudi women's ability to travel independently.