To ask you to phone the Saudi embassy tomorrow morning

[beatricequimby]

The Saudi Supreme Court has just upheld the sentence of 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes against the blogger Raif Badawi. He could be flogged again tomorrow.

This is a very moving video about Raif made by his ten year old son

Amnesty are asking people to phone the Saudi embassy in London before 10 tomorrow to ask them to halt the flogging and free Raif unconditionally.

You can phone 02079173000 and either choose option 2 or hold.

[chocolateyay]

What will we say if you get to speak to an actual person?

[chocolateyay]

Bloggers are flogged yet they can't seem to stem the outflow of their own special brand of extremism and terrorism that threats the whole ME?

Off lot.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

I'm going to say what is suggested in the OP

"Amnesty are asking people to phone the Saudi embassy in London before 10 tomorrow to ask them to halt the flogging and free Raif unconditionally."

Will try again now...

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Ok, called and got through. Asked them to halt flogging and free Raif unconditionally.

Woman I spoke to asked me to email [email protected] so will do that too.

[HairyMcMary]

Oh well done !

[HairyMcMary]

If I get through I plan to be polite and say I am dismayed to see such an important country being so afraid of the discussion of ideas and to ask the to urgently seek the freedom of Raif Badawi.

[sadwidow28]

Saudi Gazette have published a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning:

...the judiciary in Saudi Arabia is independent and the Kingdom does not accept interference in its judiciary or its internal affairs by any party.

www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150612246990

Our foreign secretary. Philip Hammond. has said that the Saudi court's decision is "not the end of the story".

The Tory frontbencher said he intended to ensure Mr Badawi is not flogged on Friday, adding: "I hope that nothing happens at all."

www.itv.com/news/2015-06-12/raif-badawi-saudi-arabia-prepares-new-round-of-lashes-for-free-speech-blogger/

[HairyMcMary]

I wonder how he intends to ensure this?

[ArabellaStrange]

I phoned and got given the email address. I will now sign the petition and tweet it too.

[BettyCatKitten]

I've signed. It makes me sick.

[twofingerstoGideon]

I phoned them. It took a while to get through. Pleasant woman answered. I told her I wished to register my objections to the treatment of Raif Badawi and she gave me this email address: [email protected]

I've emailed and hope others will, too.

[DoraGora]

Whilst the Saudis have the support of the US they'll continue to do their barbaric antics (of all kinds) not just this, and most people won't notice. Since the US is unlikely, ever, to stop supporting them (and Israel) those are among the countries most badly behaved in the world. In the 80s South America's gruesome cruelty flourished under the protection of the US. Now it's the Middle East's turn. Good old Uncle Sam. Just the country to look after you, when you're swinging from the ceiling on a meat hook.

[chocolateyay]

So Prince Charles' little chat with the Saudi king back in February has born no fruit whatsoever? Maybe he gets a nice cup of Echinacea tea afterwards?

[SideOrderofChips]

Signed

[bostonbaby]

Horrible backwards country

[chocolateyay]

But awfully rich and full of lovely oil.

[TTWK]

Whilst the Saudis have the support of the US they'll continue to do their barbaric antics (of all kinds) not just this, and most people won't notice. Since the US is unlikely, ever, to stop supporting them (and Israel) those are among the countries most badly behaved in the world. In the 80s South America's gruesome cruelty flourished under the protection of the US. Now it's the Middle East's turn. Good old Uncle Sam. Just the country to look after you, when you're swinging from the ceiling on a meat hook.

Yes, it's a good job the UK govt doesn't also support the Saudi regime.

[HairyMcMary]

Amnesty have reported over Twitter that he has not been flogged today.

[sadwidow28]

Saudi blogger Badawi's flogging put off again

His wife posted on Twitter:

"No flogging for today; I repeat my appeal to his majesty King Salman to pardon my husband #RaifBadawi and stop his flogging."

twitter.com/raif_badawi/status/609299974807883776

There is a report on CNN, including an interview with his wife:

edition.cnn.com/2015/06/12/middleeast/saudi-blogger-flogging-imminent-human-rights/

In that report, his wife says that they are expecting the lashes to happen NEXT Friday now.

So, keep sharing to keep up the pressure.

[HairyMcMary]

The poor man. The emotional strain must be immense.

And judging by other news stories - so many other people enduring weekly lashing for months on end. Does it really happen like that? Do people die from it? It is sustained torture.

[BeenWondering]

Next Friday! My, how very accommodating of them! I just hope the campaign doesn't lose momentum.

[DoraGora]

Re: UK support, to me it's just a matter of 51st Statism; where Sam goes, there go I.

[sadwidow28]

HairyMcMary, the systematic flogging on a weekly basis is often a slow and cruel death. However, 1,000 lashes is almost unheard of. He appealed his original sentence:

He was convicted of several charges and sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes in 2013.

So his sentence in appeal was increased to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine.

His wife, Ensaf Haidar, has said that she does not believe he will survive 1,000 lashes. Particularly as the lashes with the cane are intended to cause severe bruising, but his flogging actually broke the skin on his back.

Now, I'll start to Tweet the phone number and the email link (given to us when we phoned the Embassy this morning).

[sadwidow28]

DoraGora whilst I agree with you, I simply can't sit back and do nothing to try to get Rafi Badawi released from this cruel punishment.

We value our free speech - look at the 'bust ups' on AIBU. In some ways, we take it for granted.

[sadwidow28]

If anyone would like to email the Saudi Embassy - as suggested when we spoke to the Embassy before 10am this morning, please send to:

[email protected]

Say something like:

Dear Sir/Madam

I am calling on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to halt any further flogging of Raif Badawi and to release him unconditionally.

Whilst his sentence was confirmed by the Saudi supreme court in June 2015, it is still within your power and authority to show mercy and offer full clemency to Raif Badawi. He is a father of three small children who need the care and love of their father.

Forgiveness is honoured by Allah.

May Ramadan bring you many blessings to you and your family,

[Name]


Alternatively, you can phone 02079173000 and either choose option 2 or hold.