Protest at Saudi Arabia Embassy - Help stop the flogging of Raif Badawi

Protest outside Saudi Embassy against the flogging of Raif Badawi.

Raif's wife, Ensaf Haidar has received information indicating that the Saudis intend to resume flogging - http://www.fondationraifbadawi.org/urgent-statement-flogging-of-raif-badawi-will-resume/

Amnesty International has arranged a protest for Monday, November 2nd.

The protest starts across the street from the Saudi Arabian Embassy, 201 Sussex Drive at 11:00am. We will then walk over to the Prime Minister's office at 11:30am and be finished at 12pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1614691025438846/

http://centreforinquiry.ca/raif-badawi/

More details from Amnesty International:

Raif Badawi, a Saudi citizen, was arrested in Saudi Arabia on 17 June 2012. They charged him with insulting Islam and creating the “Saudi Arabian Liberals” website for social and political debate. The charges related to articles Raif wrote criticizing religious figures.

After his arrest, his wife and three young children sought refuge in Canada; they now live in Quebec.

Raif Badawi’s case bounced back and forth between courts until 7 May 2014. On that day, the Criminal Court pronounced a sentence of 10 years in prison, 1000 lashes and a fine of 1 million riyals (about $290,000 CDN). After he serves a decade in jail, he is also forbidden to travel for the following decade and from participating in the media.

Since March 2011 the authorities have continued a relentless campaign of repression in the name of security. The authorities have cracked down on peaceful activists calling for reforms and on demonstrators protesting against human rights violations. Those who express dissent face arrest and imprisonment whether they are critics, bloggers, activists or academics. Raif Badawi is just one of many.

Amnesty International considers Raif Badawi a prisoner of conscience and is calling for his sentence to be quashed and for him to be released immediately and unconditionally.