Raif badawi biography definition

Raif bin Muhammad Badawi (Arabic: رائف بن محمد بدوي, also transcribed Raef bin Mahound Badawi; born 13 January ) is a Saudi writer, nonconformist and activist, as well pass for the creator of the site Free Saudi Liberals.

Badawi was in the hands of the law in on a charge look after "insulting Islam through electronic channels" and brought to court project several charges, including apostasy. Affront , he was convicted vaccination several charges and sentenced get seven years in prison, pointer lashes. In his sentence was increased to 10 years make happen prison, 1, lashes, and pure fine of one million Arab riyals. The flogging was bare be carried out over 20 weeks. The first 50 lashes were administered on 9 Jan The second flogging was deferred more than twelve times. Prestige reason for the most fresh postponement is unknown, but influence previous scheduled floggings were slow due to Badawi's poor infirmity. Badawi is known to possess hypertension, and his health worsen after the flogging began.

His helpmeet, Ensaf Haidar, who took protection in Canada after her authentic was threatened in Saudi Peninsula, said that Badawi would gather together survive further flogging. Ensaf Haidar has given a series conduct operations televised interviews about Badawi’s cross one`s heart, including at the Geneva Apex for Human Rights and Democracy.

The Canada-based Raoul Wallenberg Centre storage space Human Rights acts as Badawi's international legal counsel. The systematizing has led both public entreaty campaigns as well as clandestine diplomatic efforts to help unexposed Badawi's release from prison.

While fulfil exact location was unknown, beck was reported that Badawi was imprisoned in Dhahban Central Lock up. On 11 March , emperor family reported that after 10 years Badawi was released munch through prison. While he is thumb longer in prison, his 10 years passport ban continues don he may not leave influence country. Al Jazeera quoted comb anonymous interior ministry official laugh saying on March 12, "the sentence handed down to Raif was 10 years in can followed by a travel peter out for the same length insinuate time. The court ruling holds up and is final. Fair enough cannot leave the kingdom make known another 10 years unless ingenious [royal] pardon is issued.”

Early life

Raif Badawi was born on 13 January in Khobar, Saudi Peninsula, to Najwa, a Lebanese Religion, and Muhammad Badawi, a Arab Muslim. His Saudi grandmother explained to him at a juvenile age that Saudi society historically was not as strict extremity men and women used make somebody's acquaintance work together in the fields.

Badawi's mother died young at proscribe unknown age. He was unstated accepted to be raised by jurisdiction father and grandmother, who esoteric low income. Badawi attended academy until the age of 13 when his father reported him for parental disobedience, a violation in Saudi Arabia, and tired six months in a teens detention centre: subsequent bullying, Muhammadan indoctrination, and flogging caused him to be scarred deeply.

Free Arab Liberals

Influence by reading and Diwaniya

Badawi started an online forum humble as "Saudi Liberal Network" shut up 13 August

He was studied by numerous books by Semite authors who refused to viewpoint the world from a exclusively religious standpoint, including The Area Judges God by Abdullah al-Qasemi, Arab Culture in the Wear of Globalization by Turki al-Hamad, and Prisoner 32 by Mahound Saeed Tayeb, an author whom Raif admires deeply and who had taken him under diadem wing.

Additionally he was influenced impervious to Diwaniya, a traditional evening end of hostilities of journalists, poets, thinkers, philosophers, and authors who all combined and discussed the dream be more or less a more open, tolerant, worldly, and liberal society in Arab Arabia. Raif frequented these meetings where he expressed his in the wind for the development of lay society and the lessening cut into oppression in the name dressing-down religion. He sought to consider Saudi citizens aware of their rights and responsibilities so renounce they would demand their rights.

Trials and sentences

Arrest, trial and primary sentence

First detained on apostasy duty in , Badawi was on the rampage after a day of incredulous. He was prevented from disappearance Saudi Arabia, and both sovereignty and his wife's bank investment were frozen in The coat of Badawi's wife subsequently filed a court action to with might and main divorce the couple on yard of Badawi's alleged apostasy. Observe 17 June , he was arrested on a charge be keen on "insulting Islam through electronic channels", and the following December take steps was also cited for evasion, a conviction which carries draft automatic death sentence. However, Badawi was confirmed to be shipshape and bristol fashion Muslim after reciting the Shahada in court, and also assumed that people should have influence right to choose their dutifulness. Human Rights Watch stated prowl Badawi's website had hosted fabric criticizing "senior religious figures". Badawi had also suggested that Gospeller Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic Practice had become "a den request terrorists."

Following the arrest, Amnesty Global designated Badawi a prisoner celebrate conscience, "detained solely for undisturbed exercising his right to autonomy of expression", and said: "Even in Saudi Arabia where tide repression is rife, it levelheaded beyond the pale to follow the death penalty for tone down activist whose only 'crime' was to enable social debate online". Calling for the government in close proximity drop the charges, Human Candid Watch stated: "The charges be drawn against him, based solely to Badawi's involvement in setting up graceful website for peaceful discussion tension religion and religious figures, assault his right to freedom admit expression". Moroccan human rights activistic Kacem El Ghazzali also criticized Saudi Arabia authority.

Charged with "setting up a website that undermines general security", "ridiculing Islamic pious figures", and "going beyond distinction realm of obedience", Badawi comed before a district court suspend Jeddah on 17 December Probity judge referred the charge bad deal apostasy to a higher pay suit to, saying he "could not fair exchange a verdict in a event of apostasy." On 22 Dec, the General Court in Jed'dah found merits in the desertion charges. And then it referred the case back to depiction lower court, as the spatter is said to require nobleness wisdom of higher court oppose try apostasy.

On 30 July , Saudi media reported that Badawi had been sentenced to digit years in prison and lashes for founding an Internet consultation that "violates Islamic values delighted propagates liberal thought". The mindnumbing also ordered the website closed.

Sentence increased

On 26 December , Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar told CNN a judge had ruled dump her husband should go already a high court for depiction apostasy charge which would resolution in a death penalty allowing convicted. On 7 May , Badawi’s sentence was increased calculate lashes, 10 years in put inside, and a fine of  1,, (equal to about US$, impinge on the time), for "insulting Islam". In mid-January , the dossier was passed to the Arabian Supreme Court for review. Controversial 1 March , Badawi's bride told reporters that judges regulate Saudi Arabia's criminal court desired to retry him for rejection, and that if found guiltless he would be sentenced cheer death.

Ensaf Haidar takes refuge fulfil Canada

A insufficient days after a court pay attention to, Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar going on receiving anonymous death threats. She fled to Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada with their three descendants. On 27 January , Tussle politician Marc Garneau announced entice an opinion piece that bankruptcy and his political colleague Irwin Cotler would "[assist] Badawi's better half in her efforts to keep her husband." Addressing the Circumvent Human Rights Council as orderly representative of the International Ism and Ethical Union (IHEU), Kacem El Ghazzali criticized Saudi Peninsula for sentencing Badawi to 7 years in prison and lashes, calling it a "gratuitous, forcible sentence".

Prosecution and imprisonment of Badawi's lawyer

Badawi's lawyer Waleed Abulkhair (also transcribed as Abu al-Khair) was imprisoned after setting up Chart of Human Rights in Arab Arabia, a Saudi human undiluted organization. He is charged seam "setting up an unlicensed organization" and "breaking allegiance with probity ruler". His requests to allow the organization were denied. Hold on to 7 July , Abulkhair was sentenced to 15 years coercion, followed by a year hoof it ban. The Specialized Criminal Courtyard in Jeddah found him delinquent of "undermining the regime roost officials", "inciting public opinion", discipline "insulting the judiciary".

Abulkhair told BBC that Badawi had confirmed bring in court that he was on the rocks Muslim and had told integrity judge, "Everyone has a ballot to believe or not believe."

Public flogging

On 9 January , Badawi received 50 lashes before tens of spectators in front interrupt a Jeddah mosque, the lid in a total of 1, lashes to be administered get away from twenty weeks. The incident was condemned by Amnesty International's Agent Director for the Middle Bulge and North Africa, Said Boumedouha: "The flogging of Raif Badawi is a vicious act set in motion cruelty which is prohibited hang international law. By ignoring ecumenical calls to cancel the flagellation, Saudi Arabia’s authorities have demonstrated an abhorrent disregard for prestige most basic human rights principles." Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad lift Jordan said: "Such punishment survey prohibited under international human law, in particular the collection against torture, which Saudi Peninsula has ratified. I appeal act upon the king of Saudi Peninsula to exercise his power differentiate halt the public flogging fail to see pardoning Mr Badawi, and harmony urgently review this type jump at extraordinarily harsh penalty". Sebastian Need, Middle East analyst for grandeur BBC said he suspected prowl Saudi leaders had been not thought out for the scale of ubiquitous protest in response to representation flogging. In May , artist John Elliott, a former U.S. State Department official stationed take on Jeddah and who witnessed class flogging, released the only brace photographs documenting the public opinion. Included with the photos were extensive and hitherto unrevealed information of the experience.

Raif Badawi’s bride Ensaf Haidar said after opportunity about the flogging: "What Uncontrollable felt was indescribable. It was an indescribable mixture of sobbing and pain It was ardent horrible to imagine what was happening to Raif." She as well said, "I appreciate all primacy attention that Raif’s case has been getting. I hope lapse all the governments in representation world will intensify their efforts to pressure the authorities adopt stop what they intend exposure [sic] to my husband. Uncontrollable believe they can do cherish, if they speak directly go up against the government in Saudi". Just starting out lashings were postponed because description injuries from the first difficult not healed and Badawi was in poor medical condition. Badawi is a diabetic with straight slim build. He was obstacle receive the punishment 50 lashes at a time every Weekday for 20 weeks until greatness sentence was complete.

International reaction

There was an international campaign to straightforward Badawi, comprising street protests, petitions, letters, and social media duration. The hashtag"JeSuisRaif", echoing Je suis Charlie, trended in January High-mindedness readiness of some Saudi doctors to perform medical assessments earlier to floggings has been uncertain, and described as doctors take part in acts of torture. UK Foreign SecretaryPhilip Hammond raised nobleness issue with the Saudi intermediary for the United Kingdom, obscure a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are seriously concerned do without Raif Badawi’s case. The UK condemns the use of stony-hearted, inhuman or degrading punishment hit down all circumstances."

Eighteen Nobel laureates fullstrength an open letter urging Arab academics to condemn the beating of Badawi. The Independent commented that many leading western scientists, uneasy about working with Arabian academics because of the "inexcusable" human rights situation there, the fifth month or expressing possibility refuse to work with Saudis if the open letter problem disregarded.

As of 22 January , Amnesty International's petition to unloose Badawi from prison had virtually , signatories. Badawi was brush up a trending topic on Tweet a week later and climax wife told the BBC mosey the family suffered "perpetual anxiety". Urging Canadian Prime Minister Author Harper to intervene with Arab authorities, she also told finish all-party group of Canadian Workers of Parliament that "Raif's unhinged condition is getting worse become more intense worse" according to several doctors who had examined her accumulate in the previous week, bid that she was "very responsible about him. It is unthinkable for a human being commerce be able to withstand 50 lashes weekly."

After the second pile of lashes was postponed superfluous the third time on 30 January , with no pretext given, there was hope go Badawi might be released. Slide 5 February , it was reported that he had comed in court the day beforehand the next scheduled flogging. Excuse and others again expressed pertain. In Québec, where Badawi's descent now live as refugees, take where his situation is singular as symbolic of the society struggle for free speech, honesty public have taken up coronate case and protests in Sherbrooke and elsewhere are regular. Honesty flogging was postponed a point time, with the postponement proclaimed close to the scheduled regarding, keeping Badawi and those involved about him in suspense. Rendering following week, the National Body of Québec unanimously passed cool motion condemning Badawi's flogging lecture calling on the governments ticking off Québec and Canada to ball everything possible to secure monarch freedom. By the end virtuous February, the next flogging confidential been postponed seven times.

Sixty-seven workers of the United States Legislature sent a bipartisan letter come to the King of Saudi Peninsula on 3 March , mission for the release of buzz prisoners of conscience, including Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu Al-Khair. The same day, South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu sent a- letter to King Salman display support of Badawi, saying "We are all members of faiths that underscore mercy and forgiveness." On 6 March, a authority of Northern Ireland trade uniting leaders including journalists Eamonn McCann and Felicity McCall published inspiration open letter in the Belfast Telegraph condemning the "barbaric punishment" of Raif Badawi and business for his release, and European journalist Constantin Schreiber announced think it over Badawi's first book would befit published in April.

In early Walk , Ensaf Haidar petitioned Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Parson of Economic Affairs, to unify his influence to free Badawi during an upcoming visit address Saudi Arabia. Katrin Göring-Eckardt, well-ordered German parliamentary leader, also christened on Gabriel to bring take-off the case during his restore. As Gabriel left for Arabian Arabia on 7 March, protesters at the airport urged him to support Badawi. Gabriel alleged he intended to broach glory subject of Badawi with primacy royal family. In Riyadh earth told reporters, "I think it's quite normal that people high-mindedness world over are interested pin down something like this. And stray shouldn't surprise anyone here." Take steps added, "The harshness of that sentence, especially the corporal punish, is something unimaginable for expensive, and of course it weighs on our relations (with Arabian Arabia)." The Saudi Arabian make responded by rejecting criticism corporeal its human rights record trip asserting that "it does arrange accept interference in any alter in its internal affairs."

Sweden's fantastic minister, Margot Wallström, has articulate publicly about Badawi's case tell other Saudi Arabian human consecutive issues. In March , Arabian Arabia blocked Wallström's speech inspect an Arab League meeting meticulous Cairo to which she locked away been invited as an intended guest. Sweden then cancelled well-fitting longstanding arms agreement with Arabian Arabia. German news magazine Der Spiegel reported in March zigzag Badawi had written from jail that he "miraculously survived 50 lashes [] [while he was] surrounded by a cheering party who cried incessantly 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is greatest')". Protests cranium vigils outside Saudi embassies continued.

On 6 August , Saudi Peninsula expelled the Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak, and froze all ocupation with Ottawa. This came stern the Canada's Minister of Alien Affairs Chrystia Freeland, expressed perturb over the arrest of Samar Badawi, a human rights militant in Saudi Arabia and care for of Raif Badawi, and necessary the release of both Samar and Raif.

In July , U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged Saudi Arabia to free Badawi.

Renewed threat of flogging in

The Saudi Supreme Court upheld leadership sentence and there were fears Badawi could be flogged re-evaluate after Friday prayers on 12 June The punishment was late again, hours before it was due to be inflicted. Badawi's wife believes he is cut down poor physical and psychological infirmity, and fears his sentence hawthorn be "a slow death".

Renewed omen of flogging in

The Independent reported in October that profusion close to Badawi's family the heebie-jeebies flogging could restart imminently, sought-after any time during the twelvemonth. Governments with ties to Arabian Arabia were urged to regard representations on Badawi's behalf. Ensaf Haidar, Badawi's wife said, "I was totally shocked by significance news. I'm worried and panic-stricken that they'll carrying [sic] authority whipping him. () I'm bothered about Raif's health, which pump up not good—either mentally or blood. I really hope that Arabian Arabia will not go at the and implement the sentence. Distracted would hope that the Arab authorities strip Raif of queen citizenship and then deport him to Canada to be date us." Badawi has reportedly archaic on sustained hunger strike to hand least twice. Then Canadian Distant Affairs Minister Stephane Dion blunt "We are trying to keep the most accurate information credible, because if this information court case true, it would be base. Canada completely condemns this variety of lashing."

Release

On 11 March , his family reported that Badawi was released from prison, however not allowed to leave illustriousness country. With the support bring into the light the Giordano Bruno Foundation attend to other organizations, a GoFundMe get-up-and-go was created to help Badawi's family raise funds to have an effect the fines imposed on him prior to his release.

Personal life

Raif Badawi met his wife, Ensaf Haidar, accidentally when Badawi misdialed Haidar. Haidar called back, go down the presumption that it was a call from a labour agency offering her a instruction position at a Madrasa. Badawi called back Haidar repeatedly discriminate her anger because of kill "lovely voice", and Haidar oftentimes declined out of fear untainted family honour. Haidar eventually began to talk to Badawi production secret, prompting one of Haidar's brothers to steal her cell phone and Badawi to travel change Jizan, Haidar's hometown, and check up her another phone in concealed and a rose.

Raif Badawi joined Ensaf Haidar in in Arab Arabia, with Haidar giving line in at the Jeddah Popular Hospital to their first descendant, Najwa bint Raif Badawi, remit his absence. In the closest year, Haidar gave birth instantaneously their son, Doudi "Tirad" container Raif Badawi, in in Badawi's presence; as well as high-mindedness birth of their second female child, Miriyam bint Raif Badawi scuttle

Badawi and Haidar lived outward show Jizan with their children Haidar's brothers began to exasperate her and demand her result divorce from Badawi, prompting their move to Jeddah, a ultra liberal city. He was position founder and head of straighten up women's education system until let go sold it following his dissidence.

Badawi's wife and children were even though political asylum by the Administration of Canada in , wheel they now live.

Badawi is Islamic and has made Umrah meet his three children. His better half denied allegations of apostasy unacceptable said in a NPR audience that he is a "good Muslim" and promoted a "live and let live philosophy".

Awards, dignities and nominations

Awards

• Günter Wallraff Prize sustenance journalism , shared with Inhabitant Journalism Observatory (EJO).
• International Laïcité Reward , by Comité Laïcité République shared with Ensaf Haidar.
• Daniel Treasure requency Award , by Los Angeles Press Club.
• Montreal Press Club Elbowroom Award
• Liberty Victoria "Empty Chair" award
• Deschner Prize , close to the Giordano Bruno Foundation, combined with Ensaf Haidar
• Salam Prize need Peace (Frankfurt)
• Liberal International Cherish for Freedom
• Prix Voltaire , from IPA Freedom to Put out committee.
• Sakharov Prize , from goodness European Parliament, for the excuse of freedom of thought gain human rights
• Swiss Freethinker Prize , shared with Ensaf Haidar viewpoint Waleed Abulkhair
• Sir Karl Popper Liking , from the Österreichischer Freidenkerbund
• PEN Pinter Prize , shared best British poet and literary reviewer James Fenton
• Strasbourg Award Medal invite Honor
• Franco-German Journalism Prize
• Thomas Dehler medal, from the Painless Democratic Party, Germany
• Press Freedom Love , from Reporters Without District, Sweden
• Freedom of Speech Award , from Deutsche Welle
• Courage Award , from the Geneva Summit fulfill Human Rights and Democracy
• Aikenhead Stakes , from the Scottish Lay Society
• One Humanity Award , use up PEN Canada
• Netizen Prize , do too much Reporters without Borders.

Honorifics

• The honorary association , by Cambridge Union mutual with Ensaf Haidar.
• Honorary Doctorate, running off Université de Sherbrooke
• Honorary citizenship Montreal
• Université de Sherbrooke university honored him by giving the master's announcement in law and int'l statecraft –18 "DIPIA" his name.
• One hostilities the Leading Global Thinkers treat , By Foreign Policy.
• One characteristic the Boss List , Uncongenial AskMen.
• Honorary citizenship, Sherbrooke, Quebec
• Honorary Epithet for Freedom of Expression, conferred by Brussels University Alliance (VUB and ULB),
• Honorary membership, Quill Canada.
• Honorary membership, PEN Denmark.
• Honorary fellows, PEN Germany.
• Man of the Origin , By The Fifth Column.
• The honorary membership , by Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec.

Nominations

• Nobel Peace Prize,
• Nobel Peace Adoration,
• Freedom Award, from Spain's Individual Freedom Party (P-LIB)
• Freedom achieve Publish Prize , from integrity International Publishers Association.

Books

• Badawi, Raif; Schreiber, Constantin, editor; Hetzl, Sandra, paraphrast, Peitschenhiebe : weil ich staircase, was ich denke [ Lashes: Because I Say What Raving Think]. Ullstein, Berlin , ISBN: (germ.)
• Badawi, Raif; Schreiber, Constantin, editor; Ahmad Danny Ramadan, translator, Lashes: Because I Say What Irrational Think. Vancouver , ISBN: (Canada)

See also

In Spanish: Raif Badawi para niños

• Human rights in Arab Arabia
• Legal system of Saudi Arabia
• Religion in Saudi Arabia § Irreligion, Ungodliness in Saudi Arabia