MARCH AI CASE:Freedom of speech and torture!In May 2014, Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10 years behind bars, 1,000 lashes, a 10-year travel ban, and a lifetime ban from appearing in the media. He was convicted of violating Saudi Arabia's draconian information technology law and "insulting Islam." The conviction stems from number of articles Raif wrote and published on his site "Saudi Arabian Liberals," which he founded as a forum for social and political debate. He is a Prisoner of Conscience, imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing his beliefs.As long as the court verdict and sentence remain in force, Badawi remains at risk of receiving the rest of his 950 lashings. Badawi's condemnation depicts the worldwide struggle for free speech and demonstrates the lack of enforcement of the international prohibition against torture. |
