WRITE FOR RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOR YOUNG ACTIVISTS SAUDI ARABIA Raif Badawi
BLOGGER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS AND 1,000 LASHES Raif Badawi is a Saudi Arabian blogger who set up the website Saudi Arabian Liberals. Arrested in June 2012, he has spent two years in prison. In May this year he was sentenced to a further 10 years with extreme physical punishment. Raif and other writers had used the website for peaceful discussions about religion and religious figures. Raif was arrested and found guilty of breaking Saudi Arabia’s information technology law. It was claimed his use of the internet had insulted local religious leaders. Things for Raif are very difficult. His wife and three children have moved to Canada. He has been given a large fine and is not allowed to travel for 10 years after leaving prison. His own lawyer is in prison for trying to draw attention to Raif’s situation and others like him. Amnesty International considers Raif a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned for peacefully speaking out and doing nothing wrong. www.amnesty.org.uk/raif
SOLIDARITY ACTION CREATIVE ACTION
Send Raif a card with a solidarity message for him and Send Raif a card of his family. You might say you support him as a prisoner support. You could #Support Raif of conscience, and support his right and that of others to draw an image of the peacefully speak out. Peace Dove, showing your message with a CAN I hashtag – like a Tweet. Send a religious card or message? Or create your own Islamic cards only – no pictures of people or animals design. Send an Amnesty card or mention Amnesty? Include my name and address? Download the message in another language?
APPEAL ACTION
Write a letter to the King of Saudi Arabia urging him to release Raif Badawi immediately and unconditionally.
Salutation: Your Majesty
Please send all your letters and cards to: Community organiser (Youth) Amnesty International UK Education and Student Team 17-25 New Inn Yard London EC2A 3EA We will forward them.
STAY INFORMED Amnesty International www.amnesty.org.uk/write