Dear Tracy,
Every day, I am faced with a series of agonizing questions: When will my husband return to me, and in what condition? How will I react? Should I hug him, kiss him? Or should I cry? My husband, Raif Badawi, is a man of principle. He is a respected rights activist and is well-known for standing up for his beliefs in Saudi Arabia, our home country. In 2008, he started the Saudi Arabian Liberals website as a forum for political and social debate. But two years ago, the Saudi Arabian authorities jailed Raif. They accused him of insulting Islam in the articles that he wrote and published and said he violated the Kingdom's deeply flawed information technology laws. He was sentenced to six years in prison and 600 lashes. I haven't seen him. I fear for him. Please call on the Saudi Arabian authorities to free Raif. Earlier this year, Raif appealed his original conviction. When a friend called from Saudi Arabia to tell me that the judge had instead increased his sentence to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes, I burst into tears. My husband is no criminal. Raif is a prisoner of conscience, jailed for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Help me fight for Raif's release. I am shocked and devastated in thinking of my husband, alone and without his family. Each day, it is torture to answer questions from my three children about where their father is. However, I am also thankful to Raif for teaching me to hang on, to be resilient and to continue fighting for his release. He promised me that he would return to fill our lives with joy and love. I will always continue the fight. Please stand with me. In hope, Ensaf Haider Wife of imprisoned Saudi Arabian activist Raif Badawi |
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
My husband is no criminal: Help free him
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