Amid the devastation and horror of the past weeks, we received a faint glimmer of good news on Friday: The Saudi Government released writer and activist Raif Badawi after 10 long and shockingly unjust years in prison.
Even as we celebrate the news of Raif’s release, we must emphasize that he should never have been imprisoned in the first place. His “crime” was nothing more than exercising the fundamental right to freedom of conscience and belief. His case underscores the lack of religious freedom and freedom of expression in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the urgent need to expand these human rights in that nation and beyond. No one should ever face persecution, oppression, imprisonment, or threats to their very life for following the dictates of their conscience.
The Lantos Foundation, alongside many respected human rights organizations, has advocated for Raif’s release for several years – dating back to 2015, when he was publicly flogged in Jeddah Square as part of his sentence of 10 years and 1,000 lashes.
At that time, Lantos Foundation President Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett was proud to stand with a group of prominent religious freedom advocates calling on Saudi Arabia to cancel the 1,000-lash sentence and offering to take 100 lashes each in his stead. This led to a global campaign that prompted ordinary citizens from around the world to make a similar pledge on Raif’s behalf. We believe our collective advocacy and the international outcry over his treatment played a role in the Saudis’ decision not to continue this barbaric punishment on Raif and to eventually abolish flogging in 2020.
Now, years later, Raif has finally been freed…but he is not yet truly free. He remains subject to a 10-year travel ban, which prohibits him from joining his wife and children in Canada.
We call upon Saudi Arabia to lift this ban immediately and allow Raif the opportunity to reunite with his family after a cruel 10-year separation.
We urge the U.S. Government to use its influence to urge the Saudis to truly and fully restore the freedom they stole from him 10 long years ago.
In our work to carry forward the noble banner of human rights, it can feel as though the scales will never tip towards justice. But every so often, like last Friday, a true human rights hero somehow manages to survive terror, trauma, and horrific abuse, and re-emerge from a prison cell to inspire us all anew with their courage and determination. Raif is one such hero, and he deserves the chance to build a new life with his family, far from the brutal regime that stole his liberty a decade ago.