Campaigners say racers will pass jail holding Loujain al-Hathloul while kingdom ‘sportwashes’ its reputation

Supporters of women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who campaigned for women’s right to drive in Saudi Arabia, have called for a boycott of the Dakar Rally for “sportswashing” the reputation of the conservative kingdom while Hathloul remains in prison.

Racers in the off-road competition – including 12 women – are this week due to pass within a few hundred metres of Riyadh’s Al-Ha’ir prison, where Hathloul is being held.

This article was amended on 5 January 2021. The original incorrectly said the rally would pass by Riyadh’s Al-Ha’ir prison on Tuesday. This has been corrected.

This post was originally published on Human rights | The Guardian.