Raif Badawi
Raif Badawi | |
---|---|
![]() Raif Badawi in 2012 | |
Born | |
Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
Occupation(s) | Author, writer and activist |
Known for | Blogging, apostasy charge |
Spouse | |
Relatives | Samar Badawi (sister) |
Awards | PEN Canada One Humanity Award 2014, Netizen Prize of Reporters without Borders 2014, Aikenhead Award 2015 of Scottish Secular Society, Courage Award from the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy 2015, DW Freedom of Speech Award 2015, Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression, granted by Brussels University Alliance (VUB and ULB) 2015, Press Freedom Prize 2015 from Reporters Without Borders Sweden Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, 2015 Laureate |
Raif Badawi (Arabic: رائف بدوي, also transcribed Raef Badawi;[1] born 13 January 1984)[2] is a Saudi writer, dissident and activist, as well as the creator of the website Free Saudi Liberals.
Badawi was arrested in 2012 on a charge of "insulting Islam through electronic channels" and brought to court on several charges, including apostasy. In 2013 he was convicted on several charges and sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes. In 2014 his sentence was increased to 10 years in prison, 1000 lashes, and a fine. The flogging was to be carried out over 20 weeks. The first 50 lashes were administered on 9 January 2015.[3] The second flogging has been postponed more than twelve times.[4] The reason for the most recent postponement is unknown, but the previous scheduled floggings were delayed due to Badawi's poor health.[5] Badawi is known to have hypertension, and his health has worsened since the flogging began.[6]
His wife, Ensaf Haidar, who took refuge in Canada after her life was threatened in Saudi Arabia, has said Badawi will not be able to survive further flogging.[7] Ensaf Haidar has given a series of televised interviews about Badawi’s plight, including at the 2016 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.[8]
Trials and sentences
Arrest, trial and first sentence
First detained on apostasy charges in 2008, Badawi was released after a day of questioning.[2] He was prevented from leaving Saudi Arabia, and both his and his wife's bank accounts were frozen in 2009.[9] The family of Badawi's wife subsequently filed a court action to forcibly divorce the couple on grounds of Badawi's alleged apostasy. On 17 June 2012, he was arrested on a charge of “insulting Islam through electronic channels”,[2] and the following December he was also cited for apostasy, a conviction which carries an automatic death sentence.[10][11] However, Badawi was confirmed to be a Muslim after reciting the Shahada in court, and also stated that people should have the right to choose their faith. Human Rights Watch stated that Badawi's website had hosted material criticizing "senior religious figures".[11] Badawi had also suggested that Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University had become "a den for terrorists."[12]
Following the 2012 arrest, Amnesty International designated Badawi a prisoner of conscience, "detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression", and said: "Even in Saudi Arabia where state repression is rife, it is beyond the pale to seek the death penalty for an activist whose only 'crime' was to enable social debate online".[13] Calling for the government to drop the charges, Human Rights Watch stated: "The charges against him, based solely to Badawi's involvement in setting up a website for peaceful discussion about religion and religious figures, violate his right to freedom of expression".[2]
Charged with "setting up a website that undermines general security", "ridiculing Islamic religious figures", and "going beyond the realm of obedience”, Badawi appeared before a district court in Jeddah on 17 December 2012.[1] The judge referred the charge of apostasy to a higher court, saying he "could not give a verdict in a case of apostasy."[14] On 22 December, the General Court in Jeddah decided to proceed with the apostasy case.[1] The higher court refused to hear the case and referred it to the lower court.[15]
On 30 July 2013, Saudi media reported that Badawi had been sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes for founding an Internet forum that "violates Islamic values and propagates liberal thought". The court also ordered the website closed.[16]
Sentence increased
On 26 December 2013, Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar told CNN a judge had ruled that her husband should go before a high court for the apostasy charge which would result in a death penalty if convicted.[17] On 7 May 2014 Badawi’s sentence was increased to 1000 lashes,10 years in prison, and a fine of 1 million riyal (equal to about $267,000), for “insulting Islam”.[18][19] In mid-January 2015, the case was passed to the Saudi Supreme Court for review.[20][21][22] On 1 March 2015, Badawi's wife told reporters that judges in Saudi Arabia's criminal court wanted to retry him for apostasy, and that if found guilty he would be sentenced to death.[23][24]
Ensaf Haidar takes refuge in Canada
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Ensaf_Haidar%2C_wife_of_Raif_Badawi_speaking_in_2015.jpg/220px-Ensaf_Haidar%2C_wife_of_Raif_Badawi_speaking_in_2015.jpg)
A few days after a court hearing, Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar started receiving anonymous death threats. She fled to Sherbrooke in Québec, Canada, with their three children.[25] On 27 January 2015, Canadian politician Marc Garneau announced in an opinion piece that he and his political colleague Irwin Cotler would "[assist] Badawi's wife in her efforts to save her husband."[26] Addressing the UN Human Rights Council as a representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), Kacem El Ghazzali criticized Saudi Arabia for sentencing Badawi to 7 years in prison and 600 lashes, calling it a "gratuitous, violent sentence".[27][28]
Prosecution and imprisonment of Badawi's lawyer
Badawi's lawyer Waleed Abulkhair (also transcribed as Abu al-Khair) was imprisoned after setting up Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi human rights organization. He is charged with "setting up an unlicensed organization" and "breaking allegiance with the ruler". His requests to license the organization were denied.[29] On 7 July 2014, Abulkhair was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, followed by a 15-year travel ban. The Specialized Criminal Court in Jeddah found him guilty of "undermining the regime and officials", "inciting public opinion", and "insulting the judiciary”.[30][31]
Abulkhair told the BBC Badawi had confirmed in court that he was a Muslim and had told the judge, "Everyone has a choice to believe or not believe."[32]
Public flogging
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Raif_Badawi_Protest_Oslo.jpg/220px-Raif_Badawi_Protest_Oslo.jpg)
On 9 January 2015, Badawi received 50 lashes before hundreds of spectators in front of a Jeddah mosque, the first in a total of 1,000 lashes to be administered over twenty weeks.[3] The incident was condemned by Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Said Boumedouha: "The flogging of Raif Badawi is a vicious act of cruelty which is prohibited under international law. By ignoring international calls to cancel the flogging, Saudi Arabia’s authorities have demonstrated an abhorrent disregard for the most basic human rights principles."[33] Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad of Jordan said: “Such punishment is prohibited under international human rights law, in particular the convention against torture, which Saudi Arabia has ratified. I appeal to the king of Saudi Arabia to exercise his power to halt the public flogging by pardoning Mr Badawi, and to urgently review this type of extraordinarily harsh penalty.”[34] Sebastian Usher, Middle East analyst for the BBC said he suspected that Saudi leaders had been unprepared for the scale of international protest in response to the flogging.[35]
Raif Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar said after hearing about the flogging: “What I felt was indescribable. It was an indescribable mixture of sadness and pain... It was painfully horrible to imagine what was happening to Raif."[36] She also said, “I appreciate all the attention that Raif’s case has been getting. I hope that all the governments in the world will intensify their efforts to pressure the authorities to stop what they intend doing [sic] to my husband. I believe they can do it, if they speak directly to the government in Saudi.”[37] Further lashings were postponed[38] because the injuries from the first had not healed and Badawi was in poor medical condition.[39] Badawi is a diabetic with a slim build.[40] He was to receive the punishment 50 lashes at a time every Friday for 20 weeks until the sentence was complete.[38]
International reaction
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/London_protest_against_Saudi_Arabia%27s_detention_and_flogging_of_prisoner_of_conscience_Raif_Badawi.jpg/220px-London_protest_against_Saudi_Arabia%27s_detention_and_flogging_of_prisoner_of_conscience_Raif_Badawi.jpg)
There was an international campaign to free Badawi, comprising street protests, petitions, letters, and social media activity.[41][42] The hashtag "JeSuisRaif", echoing Je suis Charlie, trended in January 2015.[43] The readiness of some Saudi doctors to perform medical assessments prior to floggings has been questioned, and described as doctors participating in acts of torture.[38] UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond raised the issue with the Saudi ambassador for the United Kingdom, and a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are seriously concerned by Raif Badawi’s case. The UK condemns the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in all circumstances."[44]
Eighteen Nobel laureates signed an open letter urging Saudi academics to condemn the flogging of Badawi. The Independent commented that many leading western scientists, uneasy about working with Saudi academics because of the “inexcusable” human rights situation there, may refuse to work with Saudis if the open letter is disregarded.[45]
As of 22 January 2015, Amnesty International's petition to release Badawi from prison had nearly 800,000 signatories.[46] Badawi was again a trending topic on Twitter a week later and his wife told the BBC that the family suffered "perpetual anxiety".[47] Urging Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to intervene with Saudi authorities, she also told an all-party group of Canadian Members of Parliament that "Raif's health condition is getting worse and worse” according to several doctors who had examined her husband in the previous week, and that she was “very concerned about him. It is impossible for a human being to be able to withstand 50 lashes weekly."[48]
After the second series of lashes was postponed for the third time on 30 January 2015, with no reason given, there was hope that Badawi might be released.[49] On 5 February 2015, it was reported that he had appeared in court the day before the next scheduled flogging. Amnesty and others again expressed concern.[50] In Québec, where Badawi's family now live as refugees, and where his situation is seen as symbolic of the worldwide struggle for free speech, the public have taken up his case and protests in Sherbrooke and elsewhere are regular.[51] The flogging was postponed a fourth time, with the postponement announced close to the scheduled time, keeping Badawi and those concerned about him in suspense.[52] The following week, the National Assembly of Québec unanimously passed a motion condemning Badawi's flogging and calling on the governments of Québec and Canada to do everything possible to secure his freedom.[53] By the end of February, the next flogging had been postponed seven times.[54]
Sixty-seven members of the United States Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the King of Saudi Arabia on 3 March 2015, calling for the release of all prisoners of conscience, including Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu Al-Khair.[55][56] The same day, South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu sent a letter to King Salman in support of Badawi, saying "We are all members of faiths that underscore mercy and forgiveness."[57] On 6 March, a group of Northern Ireland trade union leaders including journalists Eamonn McCann and Felicity McCall published an open letter in the Belfast Telegraph condemning the "barbaric punishment" of Raif Badawi and calling for his release,[58] and German journalist Constantin Schreiber announced that Badawi's first book would be published in April.[57][59]
In early March 2015, Ensaf Haidar petitioned Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s Minister of Economic Affairs, to use his influence to free Badawi during an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. Katrin Göring-Eckardt, a German parliamentary leader, also called on Gabriel to bring up the case during his visit.[60] As Gabriel left for Saudi Arabia on 7 March, protesters at the airport urged him to support Badawi.[61] Gabriel said he intended to broach the subject of Badawi with the royal family. In Riyadh he told reporters, "I think it's quite normal that people the world over are interested in something like this. And that shouldn't surprise anyone here."[62] He added, “The harshness of this sentence, especially the corporal punishment, is something unimaginable for us, and of course it weighs on our relations (with Saudi Arabia)."[63] The Saudi Arabian government responded by rejecting criticism of its human rights record and asserting that "it does not accept interference in any form in its internal affairs."[64]
Sweden's foreign minister, Margot Wallström, has spoken publicly about Badawi's case and other Saudi Arabian human rights issues. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia blocked Wallström's speech at an Arab League meeting in Cairo to which she had been invited as an honorary guest.[65] Sweden then cancelled its longstanding arms agreement with Saudi Arabia.[66] German news magazine Der Spiegel reported in March[67] that Badawi had written from prison that he "miraculously survived 50 lashes [...] [while he was] surrounded by a cheering crowd who cried incessantly 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is greatest')".[68] Protests and vigils outside Saudi embassies continued.[41][42][69][70][71][72][73]
On 6 August 2018, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak, and froze all trade with Ottawa. This came after the Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, expressed concern over the arrest of Samar Badawi, a human rights activist in Saudi Arabia and sister of Raif Badawi, and demanded the release of both Samar and Raif.[74]
Renewed threat of flogging in 2015
The Saudi Supreme Court upheld the sentence and there were fears Badawi could be flogged again after Friday prayers on 12 June 2015. The punishment was delayed again, hours before it was due to be inflicted.[75] Badawi's wife believes he is in poor physical and psychological health, and fears his sentence may be "a slow death".[76]
Renewed threat of flogging in 2016
The Independent reported in October 2016 that sources close to Badawi's family feared flogging could restart imminently, at any time during the year. Governments with ties to Saudi Arabia were urged to make representations on Badawi's behalf.[77] Ensaf Haidar, Badawi's wife said, "I was totally shocked by the news. I'm worried and scared that they'll carrying [sic] on whipping him. (...) I'm concerned about Raif's health, which is not good - either mentally or physically. I really hope that Saudi Arabia will not go ahead and implement the sentence. I would hope that the Saudi authorities strip Raif of his citizenship and then deport him to Canada to be with us."[78] Badawi has reportedly been on sustained hunger strike at least twice.[79] Then Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said "We are trying to have the most accurate information possible, because if this information is true, it would be shameful. Canada completely condemns this type of lashing."[80]
Personal life
Raif Badawi married Ensaf Haidar in 2002 in Saudi Arabia; the couple have two daughters and a son, Najwa bint Raif Badawi, Maryam bint Raif Badawi, and Doudi bin Raif Badawi.[81]
Badawi's wife and children were granted political asylum by the Government of Canada in 2013, where they now reside.[82]
Badawi is Muslim and has made Umrah with his three children. His wife denied allegations of apostasy and said in a NPR interview that he is a "good Muslim" and promoted a "live and let philosophy".[83]
Awards, honours, and nominations
Awards
- Henry Zumach Freedom From Religion Foundation Fundamentalism Award 2018. [84]
- Daniel Pearl Award 2018, by Los Angeles Press Club.[85]
- Montreal Press Club Freedom Award 2018.[86]
- Liberty Victoria "Empty Chair" award 2016. [87]
- Deschner Prize 2016, by the Giordano Bruno Foundation , shared with Ensaf Haidar[88]
- Salam Prize for Peace (Frankfurt) 2016.[89]
- Liberal International Prize for Freedom 2016.[90]
- Prix Voltaire 2016, from IPA Freedom to Publish committee.[91]
- Sakharov Prize 2015, from the European Parliament, for the defence of freedom of thought and human rights[92]
- Swiss Freethinker Prize 2015, shared with Ensaf Haidar and Waleed Abulkhair[93]
- Sir Karl Popper Prize 2015, from the Österreichischer Freidenkerbund[94]
- PEN Pinter Prize 2015, shared with British poet and literary critic James Fenton[95]
- Strasbourg Award Medal of Honor 2015[96]
- Franco-German Journalism Prize 2015[97]
- Thomas Dehler medal, from the Free Democratic Party, Germany[94]
- Press Freedom Prize 2015, from Reporters Without Borders, Sweden[98]
- Freedom of Speech Award 2015, from Deutsche Welle[99]
- Courage Award 2015, from the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy[100]
- Aikenhead Award 2015, from the Scottish Secular Society[101]
- One Humanity Award 2014, from PEN Canada[102]
- Netizen Prize 2014, from Reporters without Borders.[103]
Honorifics
- Honorary Doctorate, from Université de Sherbrooke [104]
- Honorary citizenship Montreal[105]
- Université de Sherbrooke university honored him by giving the master's program in law and int'l politics 2017-18 "DIPIA" his name.[106]
- One of the Leading Global Thinkers of 2015, By Foreign Policy.[107]
- One Of The Boss List 2015, By AskMen.[108]
- Honorary citizenship, Sherbrooke, Quebec[109]
- Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression, bestowed by Brussels University Alliance (VUB and ULB), 2015.[110]
- Honorary membership, PEN Canada.[102]
- Honorary membership, PEN Denmark.
- Honorary membership, PEN Germany.
- Man Of The Year 2015, By The Fifth Column.[111]
Nominations
- Nobel Peace Prize, 2015[112]
- Nobel Peace Prize, 2016[113]
- 2014 Freedom Award, from Spain's Individual Freedom Party (P-LIB)[114]
- Freedom to Publish Prize 2014, from the International Publishers Association.[102]
Books
- Badawi, Raif; Schreiber, Constantin, editor; Hetzl, Sandra, translator, 1000 Peitschenhiebe : weil ich sage, was ich denke [1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think]. Ullstein, Berlin 2015, ISBN 978-3-550-08120-0 (germ.)[115]
- Badawi, Raif; Schreiber, Constantin, editor; Ahmad Danny Ramadan, translator, 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think. Vancouver 2015, ISBN 978-1771642095 (Canada)[116]
See also
- Turki al-Hamad
- Human rights in Saudi Arabia
- Legal system of Saudi Arabia
- Religion in Saudi Arabia#Irreligion, Irreligion in Saudi Arabia
References
- ^ a b c PEN International/IFEX (11 January 2013). "Prominent Saudi writer's safety at risk after arrest". The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Saudi Arabia: Website Editor Facing Death Penalty". Human Rights Watch. 22 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Saudi blogger receives first 50 lashes of sentence for 'insulting Islam'". Guardian. Associated Press in Dubai. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Raif Badawi évite le fouet pour une 11e semaine de suite". LaPresse.ca. Retrieved 27 March 2015. Template:Link language
- ^ "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi spared flogging again this week". The Globe and Mail. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- ^ Ljundggren, David (2 February 2015). "Wife of flogged Saudi blogger Raif Badawi says his health is worsening". Reuters.
- ^ Garrisi, Diana (3 February 2015). "What actually happens when you get flogged". New Statesman.
- ^ "Tom Gross interviews Raif Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar at the Geneva Summit 2016". 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia: Travel ban against blogger Mr Raif Badawi for criticising religious police". Front Line Defenders. 8 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Angus McDowall (22 December 2012). "Saudi website editor could face death for apostasy-rights group". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Saudi Arabian Blogger Could Face Death Penalty". Sky News. 23 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ Brian Whitaker (26 December 2013). "Saudi activist faces new execution threat". al-bab.com. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia uses capital offence of 'apostasy' to stifle debate". Amnesty International. 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Saudi rights activist faces apostasy charge". Middle East Online. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
- ^ "BBC News - Raif Badawi: Court refuses to charge Saudi blogger". BBC News. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Arabian social website editor sentenced to seven years behind bars and 600 lashes". NY Daily News. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ Salma Abdelaziz, CNN (26 December 2013). "Wife: Saudi blogger recommended for apostasy trial - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ Jamjoom, Mohammed (7 May 2014). "Saudi activist sentenced to 10 years, 1,000 lashes for insulting Islam". CNN International. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi gets 10 year jail sentence". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Saudis 'to review' flogging of blogger Raif Badawi". BBC. 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia publicly beheads woman in holy Mecca as blogger lashings are postponed". The Independent. 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Postponement of Raif Badawi flogging on medical grounds exposes shocking brutality of punishment". Amnesty International. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Rawlinson, Kevin (1 March 2015). "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi could be retried and beheaded, say his family". The Guardian.
- ^ Green, Chris (1 March 2015). "Raif Badawi, the Saudi Arabian blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes, may now face the death penalty". The Independent.
- ^ Nianias, Helen (15 January 2015). "Raif Badawi: Sentenced to 1000 lashes, the man who started Free Saudi Liberals website has ignited a global debate". The Independent.
- ^ "Opinion: Canada must use all diplomatic resources to help free Raif Badawi". Montreal Gazette. 27 January 2015.
- ^ "International Humanist and Ethical Union - IHEU laments Human Rights Council member states who imprison "blasphemers"". Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "IHEU representative Kacem El Ghazzali in support of Raif Badawi at the United Nations". YouTube. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Waleed Abu al-Khair: Rights Defender On Trial". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ Smith, Lydia (7 July 2014). "Waleed Abulkhair Given 15 Years for Activism: Who is the Influential Saudi Human Rights Lawyer?". International Business Times.
- ^ "Jailed and on trial for reporting human rights violations". Reporters Without Borders. 20 June 2014.
- ^ "Lash and jail for Saudi web activist Raef Badawi". BBC. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
Lawyer Waleed Abu Alkhair told the BBC that Mr Badawi, a father of three, had confirmed in court that he was a Muslim but told the judge "everyone has a choice to believe or not believe."
- ^ "Flogging of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia 'vicious act of cruelty'". Amnesty International. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi's case referred to supreme court, says his wife". The Guardian. 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia postpones flogging of Raif Badawi again". BBC. 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Pressure grows on Saudi Arabia over blogger facing second flogging". The Guardian. 15 January 2015.
- ^ McVeigh, Tracy; Mahmood, Mona (17 January 2015). "Saudi blogger's wife says global pressure could force his release". The Guardian.
- ^ a b c Black, Ian (23 January 2015). "Planned flogging of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi postponed again". The Guardian.
- ^ "Close friend of Raif Badawi says he's 'not in a good condition'". BBC Radio 5. 18 January 2015.
- ^ Paquin, Mali Ilse (21 January 2015). "Saudi blogger's wife: I feel destroyed but I will not sit in a corner and cry". The Guardian.
- ^ a b "Raif Badawi's flogging is halted, but the protest goes on. Demonstrators outside the Saudi embassy remind Zoe Williams that this outrage is all our business". The Guardian. 23 January 2015.
- ^ a b Kestler-D'Amours, Jillian (4 March 2015). "Bianca Jagger joins fight to free Saudi blogger Raif Badawi: A global campaign to free Raif Badawi is growing amid concerns the father of three now risks beheading on charges of apostasy". thestar.com.
- ^ "FreeSpeechStories: The explosion of #JeSuis____ campaigns". BBC. 20 January 2015.
- ^ "Raif Badawi: Flogging case raised with Saudi ambassador". The Independent. 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Raif Badawi Exclusive: Nobel Laureates urge Saudi academics to condemn flogging of writer jailed for daring to criticise clerics". The Independent. 19 January 2015.
- ^ Ries, Brian (22 January 2015). "Flogging of Saudi blogger is postponed again as doctors raise health concerns". Mashable. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "Beaten for blogging: #Free Speech Stories". BBC. 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Raif Badawi's wife seeks Stephen Harper's help for jailed Saudi blogger". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 January 2015.
- ^ Banerjee, Sidhartha (30 January 2015). "Does release of Souad al-Shammari mean Raif Badawi could be freed?". Global News.
- ^ "Raif Badawi back in court, future remains uncertain". CBC News. 5 February 2015.
- ^ Lalonde, Michelle (4 February 2015). "Campaign to release Saudi blogger heats up as case referred to Court of Appeal". Montreal Gazette.
- ^ "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi's flogging delayed for 4th week". CBC News. 6 February 2015.
- ^ "Raif Badawi: National Assembly lends support to Saudi blogger". CBC News. 11 February 2015.
- ^ "Raif Badawi weekly flogging delayed for 7th week in a row". CBC News. 27 February 2015.
- ^ Brekke, Kira (5 March 2015). "Members Of Congress Call On Saudi Arabia To Release Blogger Raif Badawi". The World Post.
- ^ "Letter from U. S. Congress to King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud" (PDF). Amnesty International. 3 March 2015.
- ^ a b Benson, Ophelia (3 March 2015). "Desmond to Salman". Butterflies and Wheels.
- ^ "Appeal to free flogged blogger from Saudi jail". Belfast Telegraph. 6 March 2015.
- ^ Schreiber, Constantin (6 March 2015). "Proud to support @raif_badawi with our new book, out 1 April". Twitter.
- ^ "New arms export revelations embarrass Gabriel ahead of Mid-East tour". Deutsche Welle. 6 March 2015.
- ^ "Blogger Badawi: Gabriel wants to work for release". Panteres. 7 March 2015.
- ^ "Blogger Badawi a hot topic on Gabriel's Riyadh visit". Deutsche Welle. 7 March 2015.
- ^ "Merkel's deputy says case of blogger Raif Badawi straining Saudi-German relations". StarTribune. Associated Press. 8 March 2015.
- ^ McDowall, Angus; Jones, Gareth (7 March 2015). "Saudi Arabia rejects rights criticism after flogging of blogger". Reuters. Riyadh. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia accused of blocking criticism of human rights record". The Guardian. 9 March 2015.
- ^ Crouch, David (10 March 2015). "Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Sweden as diplomatic row deepens". The Guardian.
- ^ "Saudi-arabischer Blogger Badawi: "Auf wundersame Weise 50 Peitschenhiebe überlebt"". Der Spiegel (in German). 27 March 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ Burke, Jason (11 June 2015). "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi may receive second set of lashes on Friday" – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Raif Badawi, Saudi Arabian Blogger, May Receive Death Sentence Instead Of 1,000 Lashes". Inquisitr. 1 March 2015.
The news is renewing international outcry, with protests and official condemnations of Raif Badawi's punishments, as well as social media campaigns.
- ^ "276 candidates for Nobel Peace Prize". News in English.no. 3 March 2015.
Badawi's punishment has sparked outrage around the world, including ongoing protests outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Oslo.
- ^ "Raif Badawi vigils". English PEN. 19 February 2015.
- ^ "Raif Badawi tells of flogging ordeal in letter from Saudi prison". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015. Photo: Protesters outside the Saudi Arabia embassy in London.
- ^ "Campaign Events". RaifBadawi.org. 10 March 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador over criticism". 6 August 2018.
- ^ "Quebec opens its doors to imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi".
- ^ "Saudi blogger's 'slow death sentence'". 12 June 2015 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Saudi blogger Raif Badawi faces further round of flogging, supporters say The Guardian
- ^ Saudi blogger Raif Badawi 'faces new round of lashes' BBC
- ^ (www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi to be given more lashes in prison - News - DW - 18.10.2016". DW.COM.
- ^ Imprisoned Saudi blogger faces more lashes: supporters Reuters
- ^ "Jailed, Whipped Saudi Blogger Wins 2015 Sakharov Prize". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "About Raif Badawi". RaifBadawi.org. 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2015.
- ^ [1]
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- ^ "Raif Badawi is the 2018 LA Press Club Daniel Pearl Awardee". LA Press Club. 26 March 2018.
- ^ "2018 Freedom Award". Twitter. 26 April 2018.
- ^ "AN EMPTY CHAIR TO HONOUR LASHED SAUDI BLOGGER". libertyvictoria. 23 July 2016.
- ^ "Raif Badawi and Ensaf Haidar receive the Deschner Prize | Gbs". giordano-bruno-stiftung.de. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ ""Awards & Prizes". Raif Badawi Foundation. 26 April 2018.
- ^ "2016 Prize for Freedom". INLW. 5 December 2016.
- ^ "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded freedom of speech prize". The Guardian. 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded Sakharov human rights prize". BBC News. 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Ensaf Haidar, Raif Badawi and Waleed Abulkhair awarded Freethinker Prize 2015". Freethinkers Association of Switzerland. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Saudi Arabia: Call for Release of Imprisoned Human Rights Lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair". Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC). 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ "Jailed Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Co-Winner Pen Pinter Prize". The Guardian. 5 October 2015.
- ^ "Roland Ries prend la défense du blogueur Raif Badawi". dna.fr. 4 May 2015.
- ^ "the franco German Award". raifbadawi.org. 4 May 2015.
- ^ "Swedish Reporters Without Borders Awards Saudi Blogger Press Freedom Prize". Reportrar Utan Gränser. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ "DW Freedom of Speech Award for Raif Badawi". DW. 25 February 2015.
- ^ "20 rights groups to bestow courage award upon Saudi blogger at Geneva Summit". Geneva Summit. 17 February 2015.
- ^ "Scottish Secular Society Presents Raif Badawi with Annual Aikenhead Award". Scottish Secular Society. 3 January 2015.
- ^ a b c "Jailed Saudi blogger receives PEN Canada's One Humanity Award". PenCanada. 21 October 2014.
- ^ "Reporters Without Borders: TV5Monde Prize for Press Freedom". Reporters without Borders. 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Address by Professor Pierre Cossette, Rector of the Université de Sherbrooke, on the occasion of the presentation of a doctorate of honor to Raïf Badawi". Université de Sherbrooke. 8 June 2017.
- ^ "Montreal grants honorary citizenship to Saudi blogger Raif Badawi". The Globe And Mail. 28 May 2018.
- ^ "The 2017-18 DIPIA cohort takes the name of Raif Badawi". Université de Sherbrooke. 13 September 2017.
- ^ "Global Thinkers". Foreign Policy. 2 December 2015.
- ^ "AskMen". AskMenUk. 2 December 2015.
- ^ "Sherbrooke, terre d'accueil pour Raif Badawi". Université de Sherbrooke. 10 July 2015.
- ^ "the honorary title". VUB. 3 May 2015.
- ^ "Man Of The Year". The Fifth Column. 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2015". Morocco World News. 2 February 2015.
- ^ "Fredsprisen til Raif Badawi og Waleed al-Kahir".
- ^ "The P-LIB presents the application of Liberal Arabia Freedom Award 2014". P-LIB. 29 August 2013. Template:Link language
- ^ "1000 Peitschenhiebe: Weil ich sage, was ich denke". Amazon.de. Template:Link language
- ^ "1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think". Amazon.come. Template:Link language
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1984 births
- Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by Saudi Arabia
- Living people
- Muslim activists
- Recipients of the Sakharov Prize
- Saudi Arabian bloggers
- Saudi Arabian dissidents
- Saudi Arabian human rights activists
- Saudi Arabian Muslims
- Saudi Arabian prisoners and detainees
- Secularism in the Middle East