"The issue of lifting the ban is not the most relevant for us, but in a country where women's rights are violated everywhere, it will be a starting point - said in an interview with The Detroit News is one of the activists, Sarah al-Hadar. - Women are dependent on their fathers, brothers or husbands. We want to have the same rights as them. " Recall that the movement for the abolition of the prohibition of women to get behind the wheel spread on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and received support from the United States. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the activists "courageous women who fight for democracy."
Feminists Saudi Arabia appealed to the leadership Subaru and General Motors with the request to stop selling cars in the country as long as the ban will be lifted. GM refused to curtail the sale, and the Japanese, who are selling it only 200 cars a year, agreed.
"We know that such letters are being prepared for other automakers. For his part, General Motors wants to say that in every country, including Saudi Arabia, we have earned the trust of our customers, respecting the laws and customs of the local market and not interfering in internal affairs ", - said a spokesman for GM Klaus-Peter Martin .
It is worth noting that in Saudi Arabia, women's civil rights are very limited. They can not vote when they appear in public places have to wear the niqab (a long cloak that covers the body from head to toe, with slits for eyes), they can not drive a car or ride a bike, and in some parts of the country women are forbidden even to ride a bus. At the same time in neighboring countries - Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE - women are allowed to drive.
