CFI Canada condemns the Saudi government for its barbaric and horrifying intention to torture Raif Badawi. Kevin Smith, CFI Canada’s Chair said, ” It is terrible and horrifying that one day after the murders of people at Charlie Hebdo, a person will begin a punishment of 1000 lashes for expressing his thoughts on a blog.”
CFIC urges Canadians to express their outrage and condemnation to the Government of Canada. Eric Adriaans, National Executive Director of CFI Canada said, “Freedom of speech is under threat by religious extremists. Faith-based terrorists are attacking and killing journalists and cartoonists while governments use cruel blasphemy laws to torture their citizens. It is time the Canadian government actively opposed blasphemy laws and the brutality and violence they precipitate. The Canadian government should start by calling for the immediate release of Raif Badawi and by abandoning Canada’s own blasphemy law, Criminal Code Section 296.”
Should you wish to express your concern to the Canadian government:
Update # 1 – January 8, 2015
Canada Denounces Flogging of Saudi Activist
January 8, 2015 – Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:
“I am greatly concerned by reports that Saudi human rights activist Raif Badawi will tomorrow begin facing a punishment of 1,000 lashes, along with a 10-year prison sentence, for exercising his right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
“The public flogging outside a mosque in Jeddah each week for 20 weeks, with 50 lashes administered on each occasion, is a gross violation of human dignity, which I strongly denounce.
“Canada strongly upholds the fundamental freedoms of freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of association, among other inalienable human rights, as a basis on which society is established, thrives and progresses.
“The punishment being administered to Mr. Badawi is inhumane and is unbecoming of a society which seeks to advance itself within the family of nations. Such advancement must be predicated on respect for freedom of religion and other fundamental human rights. May clemency and mercy be shown in this case.”
Update # 2 – January 12, 2015
To sign an online petition to support Raif Badawi:
http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1770&ea.campaign.id=32768
Update # 3 – January 13, 2015
CFI Canada calls its volunteers and supporters to join or lend support to weekly 30-minute demonstrations at the Saudi embassy in Ottawa. Amnesty International Canada is leading this initiative on Thursday January 15, 2015 at 4:00 pm. Raif Badawi is expected to receive lashes every Friday for a total of twenty weeks. For further information, contact the CFIC office at ned@cficanada.ca.
Amnesty International has established Twitter campaigns using the hashtags #SaudiArabia: Freedom not flogging for @Raif_Badawi. Add your voice to #StopTorture & #FreeRaif spr.ly/6016avN2
Update # 4 – January 23, 2015
As we continue to monitor this situation, we have found a media story which indicates that Raif Badawi may not receive further lashes and could be released earlier than the initial 10-years. CFIC is proud to have been a part of the worldwide support for Mr. Badawi. We will continue to provide updates on this as we learn more.
Update # 5 – January 23, 2015
As we continue to monitor this situation, we have found a media story which indicates that Raif Badawi may not receive further lashes and could be released earlier than the initial 10-years. CFIC is proud to have been a part of the worldwide support for Mr. Badawi.
Update # 6 – June 8, 2015
The Saudi Supreme Court has upheld the sentence of 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for blogger Raif Badawi.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-33039815?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central
Update #7 – June 19, 2015
Raif Badawi was awarded his tenth international honor by the Mayor of Strasbourg: The Medal of Honor Strasbourg Award
Follow the Media Reports on this Issue
4. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/22/flogging-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-postponed
Comment on “Raif Badawi”
Comments are closed.