This looks hopeful.
https://twitter.com/miss9afi/status/1085661105853063168
Maybe she just means she hopes Raif is released, as always…but then why mention the important meeting? More likely the important meeting was about some form of progress. So…here’s hoping.
https://twitter.com/miss9afi/status/1085673705735360512
The journalists were probably there for a reason.
Also on Facebook.
Saudi Arabia is furious with Canada.
The storm started with a tweet by Canada’s foreign minister last week expressing alarm at the recent arrest of a women’s rights activist in Saudi Arabia who had relatives living in Canada, and calling for her release.
The activist is Samar Badawi, sister of Raif.
… Read the restOn Monday, the Saudi government responded, with fury.
The Canadian ambassador was ordered to leave within 24 hours, and the Saudi government halted trade and investment deals between the two countries. Saudi media reported that educational exchange programs would be suspended — affecting 12,000 Saudi students studying on state-sponsored scholarships in Canada. And Saudi Arabia’s national airline said it was suspending flights to Canada, beginning on Aug. 13.
From the Raif Badawi Foundation:
… Read the restAs of today, we received from a private source the sad news concerning the fact that the Saudi government will resume the lashing punishment against M. Raif Badawi.
Our source is the same that informed us about the first 50 lashes M. Raif Badawi received in a public place on January 9, 2015. Our understanding of the information is that another series of lashes punishment will take place this time inside the prison.
We kindly ask the Saudi government and we pledge the Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Nayef Al Saoud, first deputy Prime minister and minister of interior and the Prince Mohammed Ben Salmane Al Saoud, second vice premier minister, to stop the inhuman
It appears that Saudi Arabia plans to resume flogging Raif Badawi.
In a statement, the Raif Badawi Foundation said it had received the confirmation from the same source that had notified his family and associates about the first set of 50 lashes, which were served on January 9, 2015. The foundation did not specify who the source was.
In contrast to the first round of punishment, which was performed in a public place, the next lashing was reportedly due to be carried out inside prison. Following injuries after his first flogging, Badawi’s remaining 950 lashes had to be postponed indefinitely.
Our ally, Saudi Arabia.
… Read the restBadawi received his first 50 lashes in January 2015, sustaining sufficient injuries for the
Wait wait wait hold the phone –
Reporters Without Borders says Raif could be released soon.
… Read the restRSF has been campaigning for many months for the release of Badawi, who has been sentenced to ten years in prison and 1,000 lashes.
The possibility of a pardon was mentioned at the end of last week by the Swiss foreign ministry’s secretary of state after an official visit to Saudi Arabia. He said Badawi’s sentence had been suspended while a proposed pardon was being considered. RSF hopes that the pardon materializes and that its many appeals to the Saudi king will finally lead to Badawi’s release.
“The release of the winner of the 2014 RSF Press Freedom Prize and the 2015
So this is good news, and could be a sign of more good news – The Montreal Gazette reports that Raif Badawi’s sentence to flogging has been suspended.
A jailed Saudi blogger is having his sentence of 1,000 lashings suspended, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs told newspaper La Liberté.
…
“A pardon is now underway thanks to the head of state, the king Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud,”State Secretary Yves Rossier told the Swiss newspaper.
Here’s hoping.
H/t Bjarte… Read the rest
… Read the restSaudi Arabia’s Supreme Court is again reviewing the case of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, raising the possibility that his draconian sentence may be reduced, his family has told The Independent.
Mr Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar said she had been informed of the development by a senior source in the Saudi Ministry of Justice. The blogger’s family said they were hopeful that the move by the kingdom’s highest court is a “good signal” that his sentence is under reconsideration.
Ms Haidar added that the news was “clouded with secrecy and ambiguity” and that she was still extremely worried for her husband’s welfare. “I do hope that it will be a beginning to correct the
An item from Andy McSmith’s Diary in the Independent:
… Read the restStewart McDonald, MP for Glasgow South, arranged a Commons debate on civil rights in Saudi Arabia during which he raised the Badawi case. Replying for the Government, [Foreign Office minister Tobias] Ellwood claimed “the case is in the Supreme Court and is under review. We therefore cannot interfere with that process, in the same way that the Saudi authorities would not interfere with our process.”
When challenged, he insisted: “The case has returned to the Supreme Court, which reflects the fact that the leadership has taken stock of international opinion. The punishment has stopped and is under review. Until that process moves forward, it would be incorrect to comment on
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
A nice thing today – the mayor of Sherbrooke made Raif Badawi a citoyen de Sherbrooke.
That of course is Ensaf; this news and these photos are via her.… Read the rest
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
From Stacy Kennedy:
Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger, was arrested in 2012 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes; the lashes to be administered each Friday, 50 at a time.
Raif’s crime? Founding a website, Free Saudi Liberals, that “insulted Islam through electronic channels.”
Free Saudi Liberals championed free speech and human rights.
Raif received 50 lashes on January 9, 2015. The lashings were suspended for a time, but the Saudi Supreme Court upheld Raif’s sentence on June 7, 2015, and the lashings could resume any time. Raif is reportedly in poor health.
On Friday, June 26, The Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles, in conjunction with Amnesty International, Muslims for Progressive Values, … Read the rest
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Ensaf Haidar reports that U2 spoke up for Raif Badawi at a concert:
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Oh, do better, State Department. Come on.
Via Paul Fidalgo at The Morning Heresy – a passage from the daily press briefing at State.
… Read the restQUESTION: Saudi Arabia.
MR RATHKE: Yeah.
QUESTION: Do you have any comment or reaction on the upholding by the supreme court of the blogger’s verdict and punishment by flogging?
MR RATHKE: We are deeply concerned that the Saudi supreme court has upheld the 10-year prison sentence and 1,000 lashes for human rights activist and blogger Raif Badawi for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and religion. As we had previously said back in January, the United States Government continues to call on Saudi authorities to cancel this brutal punishment and to review Badawi’s case
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
URGENT: We’ve just heard that Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has decided to uphold Raif Badawi’s sentence of 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison. Let’s remind them that blogging is NOT a crime! http://amn.st/6187hAbD
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
From the Guardian:
The cruel and unjust sentence passed on the Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, 10 years in jail and 1,000 lashes, has been upheld by the supreme court in Riyadh. Hopes that the court might reduce or even commute the sentence, particularly as the holy fast of Ramadan begins next week, have been dashed. The only remaining appeal now is to the Saudi monarch, King Salman. From Quebec, where she has been granted asylum with their children, Mr Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar has said that she fears the public flogging – 50 lashes at a time every Friday after prayers – might resume as soon as this Friday.
I’ve often quarreled with the Guardian, but it gets this one … Read the rest
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That’s Joan Baez!
How perfect is that?!
Ensaf’s caption:
… Read the restwith Joan Baez singing “I shall be released” #FreeRaif!!
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Raymond Johansen posted a translated transcript of an interview Ensaf Haidar did on NRK Debatt.
… Read the restDear Ensaf Haidar, here is your interview again and the following is a translation I hope do you justice. My arabic is limited so please do not feel offended. We tried our best. You are a strong woman and we wish you and your family the best of luck. You are right. Millions of people around the world stand right beside you and your husband Raif Badawi
————————————–
Ensaf is asked if she knows how her husband is doing in prison at the momentEnsaf: Raif’s situation is not good at this moment in time – healthwise or psychologically. His situation is not
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Ensaf Haidar is in Norway, and keeping us posted.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Ensaf Haidar, the wife of Raif Badawi who is imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for creating a website. In January he received the first 50 lashes, and ever since people from all over the world have mobilized to stop the flogging. Ensaf is an inspiring lady who is tirelessly working for Raif’s freedom. #FreeRaifBadawi
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Wow.
Justin Trudeau, MP @JustinTrudeau 7 hours ago
One year ago, #RaifBadawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison + 1,000 lashes by Saudi Arabian gov’t. @pmharper – it’s time to act. #FreeRaifIl y a 1 an, #RaifBadawi était condamné à 10 ans de prison et 1 000 coups de fouet. @pmharper – il est temps d’agir. #libérerRaif
And news from Greystone Books:
… Read the restVancouver, BC – Greystone Books announces the acquisition of 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think (World, English language) by imprisoned Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi. The book gathers a selection of Badawi’s pivotal texts, in which he expresses his opinions on life in an autocratic-Islamic state under the Sharia and
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
… Read the restRencontre, lors du concert anniversaire des 30 ans de RSF, avec ces “monuments” qui ont marqué notre histoire, WU’ER KAIXI, leader du mouvement de Tiananmen, SHIRIN EBADI, Prix Nobel de la Paix 2003 et le créateur du slogan “Je suis Charlie”, JOACHIM RONCIN, le Président de RSF, ALAIN LE GOUGUEC, et l’artiste engagée JEANNE CHERHAL. Tous ont apporté leur soutien à RAIF BADAWI
A meeting, during the 30th anniversary concert for Reporters Without Borders, with these “monuments” who have marked our history: Wu’er Kaixi, leader of the Tiananmen Square movement; Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize winner 2003; the creator of the “Je suis Charlie” slogan, Joachim Roncin; the president of RSF, Alain Le Gougec; and
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
Ulrike Lunacek, the Vice-President of European Parliament, stood up for Raif Badawi today, according to Ensaf Haidar.
She’s the one facing us, in the blue scarf.
Take heed, King Salman!
(This is a syndicated post. Read the original at FreeThoughtBlogs.)
