Tag: Raif Badawi

  • L’espoir

    This looks hopeful.

    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.

    Capture

  • The abusers are outraged at the criticism

    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.

    On 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.

    …

    Canada’s criticism had highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing crackdown on perceived dissidents, including a group of prominent female activists who campaigned for the lifting of a driving ban on women and other rights.

    …

    In a statement early Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry described Canada’s criticism of the arrests as “blatant interference in the Kingdom’s domestic affairs, against basic international norms and all international protocols,” and an “unacceptable affront to the Kingdom’s laws and judicial process.”

    No I don’t think that’s accurate. I don’t think it is an international norm that states must not criticize each other for human rights abuses. As for an affront…the “Kingdom’s” laws deserve to be affronted, since they are an affront to half the humans on the planet.

    Two more activists were arrested last week, according to Human Rights Watch. One of the women, Nassima al-Sadah, had run for local elections and campaigned for abolishing so-called guardianship laws, which require women to seek approval from a male relative to travel or to marry. The other, Samar Badawi, received the U.S. secretary of state’s International Women of Courage Award and is the sister of dissident blogger Raif Badawi. Raif Badawi had been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail in Saudi Arabia for “insulting Islam through electronic channels.” His wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their three children became Canadian citizens on Canada Day last month and live in Quebec.

    Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s foreign affairs minister, said in a tweet Aug. 2 that she was “very alarmed” to learn of Samar’s arrest and that the government would “continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi.” Three days later, the Canadian Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted the Foreign Ministry’s statement calling for the release of the women’s rights advocates on its Twitter account, in Arabic, ensuring it would be more widely read by Saudis.

    Well done Canada.

  • Let him leave the country

    From the Raif Badawi Foundation:

    As 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 punishment. At the same time we ask them to deprive M. Raif Badawi of his Saudi Citizenship and let him leave the country for Quebec (Canada) and be reunited with his family.

     

  • Raif

    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.

    Badawi received his first 50 lashes in January 2015, sustaining sufficient injuries for the sentence to be suspended for nearly two years. Amid the international condemnation that ensued, the 32-year-old received numerous human rights awards, including the Sakharov Prize and the BOB award, DW’s recognition for Freeedom of Speech.

    Badawi’s wife, who is allowed to speak to him on the phone once or twice a week, said that his health had suffered considerably since he was given the sentence. Badawi has also reportedly been on sustained hunger strike on at least two occasions.

    God works in mysterious ways.

  • RSF has news

    Wait wait wait hold the phone –

    Reporters Without Borders says Raif could be released soon.

    RSF 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 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought would send a strong message to the international community,” said Alexandra El Khazen, the head of RSF’s Middle East desk.

    “We urge the Saudi authorities to approve Raif Badawi’s pardon and we hope that we will soon be able to see this young blogger released and reunited with his family. We meanwhile remain vigilant and call for the international pressure to be maintained.”

    Various people on Ensaf Haidar’s wall are saying that others could be pardoned at the same time.

  • Suspense

    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

  • Again reviewing

    Breaking news on Raif Badawi:

    Saudi 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 course of Raif’s case – I repeat, I am hoping,” she said.

    “I cannot say that this is good news, just that I hope it is a good sign. I expect that the flogging could still happen at any time, especially as the court could confirm the verdict then return for more deliberation, and all of this is done in complete secrecy. We do not know even on what basis the court is making its decisions.”

    You know how they are. They could come back with a worse sentence, just to tell the pesky rest of the world how devout and sadistic they are. But we can hope they’re more keen to make the whole thing go away. (It won’t. We’ll move on to the next case.)

     

  • Working on a reply

    An item from Andy McSmith’s Diary in the Independent:

    Stewart 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 another country’s judicial process.”

    The last the world heard was that in June the Saudi Supreme Court had upheld Mr Badawi’s sentence, and it was reported then that his only remaining hope was a royal pardon. I asked the Foreign Office if they could throw light on Mr Ellwood’s statement. More than seven hours after he spoke, I was told that their Saudi desk was working on a reply. When it comes, I will gladly pass it on.

    It’s confusing. It’s not clear if Ellwood has inside knowledge that the Supreme Court did not rule in June after all and is still reviewing the case, or if he just got it wrong (or obfuscated).

    Pending.

  • Citoyen Raif

    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.

  • Free Raif Rally in Los Angeles Friday

    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, PEN Center USA, and the Los Angeles Press Club, will be protesting Raif’s sentence in front of the Saudi Consulate in Los Angeles.

    We ask the Saudi Government to FREE RAIF BADAWI and allow him to join his wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their three young children in Canada.

    Please join us.

    FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015
    12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    WHERE:
    Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Los Angeles
    2045 Sawtelle Blvd.
    Los Angeles, CA 90025

    For FURTHER INFORMATION, contact
    Stacy Kennedy
    catsydestiny@hotmail.com
    (323) 385-1812

    Free Raif Rally June 26, 2015

  • Sing it

    Ensaf Haidar reports that U2 spoke up for Raif Badawi at a concert:

  • Why wouldn’t you call on the king to issue a royal pardon?

    Oh, do better, State Department. Come on.

    Via Paul Fidalgo at The Morning Heresy – a passage from the daily press briefing at State.

    QUESTION: 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 and sentence. We strongly oppose laws, including apostasy laws, that restrict the exercise of freedom of expression, and we urge all countries to uphold these.

    QUESTION: So would you like to see this – the court said the only way it could be overturned was with a royal pardon. Would you be – are you looking for the new king to grant a pardon in this case?

    MR RATHKE: Well, I don’t have anything further to say about the internal workings of how Saudi authorities may address the case, but I would go back to our call on Saudi authorities to cancel this punishment and to review the case and review the sentence.

    QUESTION: Well, that sounds to me like you’re calling for the king to pardon him.

    MR RATHKE: I don’t have –

    QUESTION: Well, if you called on them –

    MR RATHKE: — more to say about –

    QUESTION: — back in January to review the case and then to cancel the punishment, they have reviewed it now, the court has at least, and upheld it. So you still want it to be reviewed and – the case to be reviewed and the punishment to be canceled, correct? That’s what I’m hearing.

    MR RATHKE: Yeah, that’s our answer.

    QUESTION: The only way – the court says the only way that that can happen is if a royal pardon is issued. Ergo, or does that mean that you are calling on the king to issue a pardon?

    MR RATHKE: I’m not going to go beyond what I said. That’s –

    QUESTION: Well, then it doesn’t sound like – I mean, if you won’t call on the king to issue a pardon, which is what the court says is the only way that the punishment or the case can be dismissed, then I don’t understand what the point of you getting up here and saying that you’re deeply concerned about it is because you’re clearly not going to do anything – do the one thing that – or call on the king to do the one thing that –

    MR RATHKE: To go back to the verb you used earlier, I’m not going to parse the Saudi court’s decision. But the United States Government’s view remains that we believe that the punishment should be canceled and that the case and the sentence should be reviewed.

    QUESTION: But if the only way that that can happen is by royal pardon, why wouldn’t you call on the king to issue a royal pardon?

    MR RATHKE: I just don’t have anything further to say on that one.

    Thanks for nothing.

     

  • Blogging is NOT a crime

    Amnesty International:

    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

     

  • Terrible news

    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 right:

    Mr Badawi’s sentence is a brutal exercise in public intimidation. He has challenged Saudi Arabia’s autocratic and religious state, and even though his arguments could not be more carefully and modestly expressed, to hold them at all is incompatible with the regime under which he lives.

    So what kind of regime is that?

    As this newspaper has argued before, Saudi Arabia ought to be treated as a global pariah. It is a source of a particular strain of jihadist poison, of fanatical preachers, and of young men, like the 9/11 hijackers, who threaten both the west and the whole Middle East by their readiness to fight, often in the cause of Wahhabist Islam. For the past month, a Saudi blockade has been imperilling thousands of innocent Yemenis, and aerial bombardment by Saudi jets is killing scores more. Yet the kingdom continues to be treated with honour by western powers. Britain buys Saudi oil and courts Saudi trade. Even free speech in the UK has been curtailed in order to avoid giving offence to so rich and powerful an ally. Of all the European powers, only Sweden has been prepared to jeopardise relations and its arms trade by taking a stand.

    Mr Badawi will never have doubted what a challenge he posed to the kingdom. He will have understood the retribution that it was likely to bring down on his head. It is the kind of courage that demands to be recognised and honoured by everyone who respects human rights. We are and we remain Raif Badawi.

     

  • Free Raif!

    Ensaf Haidar posted a photo.

    That’s Joan Baez!

    How perfect is that?!

    Ensaf’s caption:

    with Joan Baez singing “I shall be released” #FreeRaif!!

  • Not too far into the future

    Raymond Johansen posted a translated transcript of an interview Ensaf Haidar did on NRK Debatt.

    Dear 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 moment

    Ensaf: Raif’s situation is not good at this moment in time – healthwise or psychologically. His situation is not good at all. But that is normal considering his situation, based on all the uncertainty. To sum it up, his situation is not good at all.

    Question: You reside in Canada right now with your three small children. Do you have any contact. Direct contact with your husband now?

    Ensaf: Raif calls every now and then, but they are always short conversations.

    Question: Your husband was sentenced to one thousand lashes for having championed free speech in SA. Were you surprised of this sentencing. How harsh it was?

    Ensaf: Of course. I was very surprised and shocked. All he did was exercise his free speech. I never thought he would get such a violent punishment. It was and still is a shock.

    Question: If the authorities in SA goes through, if they persist with the lashing. Do you fear that your husband might not survive it?

    Ensaf: Of course. A man cannot take 50 lashes. Raifs body and mind will not be able to handle 50 lashes every week. It is simply torture, nothing more nothing less.

    Question: Do you think the international outcry over this and the pressure against SA has in any way helped the situation?

    Ensaf: I hope that it has helped. As for now everything is uncertain. But [the support] it has helped me. I feel like the whole world is standing right beside us. I am sure that the Raif cause will affect things in measurable ways. This far it is our family that suffers the consequences. Raif knows and feels that the whole world walks stands beside him.

    [Editors note: in excess of a million people have signed a petition supporting him]

    I hope that people will continue to fight for his release.

    Question: In Norway there was quite a lot of debate when King Abdullah died, and a member of our Royal family went to a ceremony in SA. It was debated whether the Crown Prince of Norway should actually raise the issue of your husband with the authorities of SA. Do you think that would have helped?

    Ensaf: Of course. When governments talk to each other, that is helpful. I hope they ask they ask the SA government to release Raif.

    Question: Tell me about the culture gap here… Your own father in law said that he would gladly kill your husband if the authorities would not do it. How does remarks like that make you think? [Editors note: Must have meant to say “feel” – not “think”]

    Ensaf: If Raif had done anything wrong and his father witnessed that…. If he had been a real father, he would not want to kill his own son, whatever he might have done.

    Question: All over the world people are demonstrating in front of SA embassies every Friday – to help your husband. But what is your next step to help free him?

    Ensaf: First I would like to thank each and every one standing in front of the embassies every week. As for the next step, I do not have a solution. I hope we find away to get him released right away. At this time, I do not know how to make that happen. But I do hope we find a solution. If someone have an idea that can get Raif released, I can only hope that they help us.

    Question: Do you think the plight of your husband is also helping the world understand more of what’s going on human rights wise in SA?

    Ensaf: That is self evident.

    Question: And are you at present optimistic that at some point you will be reunited with your husband?

    Ensaf: Of course! Of course! Of course! Not too far into the future.

    Conclusion: Ensaf Haidar thank you very much for taking part in this interview!

  • Ensaf around the world

    Ensaf Haidar is in Norway, and keeping us posted.

    Norsk PEN also updates us.

    A new friend did the same:

    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

    http://www.amnesty.no/aksjon/stopp-piskingen-av-raif-badawi

     

  • A busy day for Ensaf

    Wow.

    Justin Trudeau:

    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. #FreeRaif

    Il 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:

    Vancouver, 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 shares his perception of freedom of expression, human and civil rights, and tolerance. Badawi was imprisoned in 2012 for peacefully expressing his views on his blog.

    Today marks the one-year anniversary of Badawi’s sentence of 10 years in prison, 1000 lashes, and a fine of roughly $270,000 USD. Throughout the world, Amnesty International and other supporters are staging events and peaceful protests outside Saudi embassies.

    Greystone’s publisher Rob Sanders says, “1000 Lashes is a resounding call to everyone who believes in the basic right of free speech. Greystone Books is proud to support Raif Badawi, his family, and people around the world who have taken up this important cause.”

    Proceeds from the book will be donated to a non-profit organization in support of the author. Greystone will publish the book in July 2015. To learn more about Raif Badawi and the campaign to secure his release, visit raifbadawi.org.

    Also, #FreeRaif in Korea:

    Also with MP Dr Amir Khadir:

    And Luc Fortin – Député de Sherbrooke:

  • RSF pour Raif

    Karine Drouin on Facebook:

    Rencontre, 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 the activist artist Jeanne Cherhal. They all lent their support to Raif Badawi.


    Wu’er Kaixi

    Joachim Roncin

    Alain Le Gougec

    Jeanne Cherhal

    Shirin Ebadi

  • Standing up

    Ulrike Lunacek, the Vice-President of European Parliament, stood up for Raif Badawi today, according to Ensaf Haidar.

    Via Ulrike Lunacek:

    She’s the one facing us, in the blue scarf.

    Take heed, King Salman!