Motion: Raif Badawi and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia

Raif Badawi and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia

Lodged by John Pentland Standard Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes that 9 January 2016 was the first anniversary of the flogging in Jeddah of the Saudi Arabian blogger and activist, Raif Badawi; understands that the 50 lashes he received represented part of a sentence of 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison, which was handed down in May 2014 as punishment for setting up an online forum for public debate and for "insulting Islam"; notes that further floggings have been delayed, initially, it understands, due to medical concerns and subsequently for unknown reasons; believes that the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia has steadily deteriorated since Raif was publicly flogged for exercising his right to free expression, not least with the recent mass execution of 47 people in a single day; considers Raif to be a prisoner of conscience and that being subjected to torture is a contravention of his human rights; calls for him to be given no further flogging, to be immediately released, for his conviction to be overturned and the dropping of all charges or sentences against him, and urges the UK to use its relationship with Saudi Arabia to press the kingdom to improve its human rights record and to comply with international law.

Supporters (28)