Papa why are you in prison?

"Why are you in prison, Papa?" Like Doudi, we are awaiting the day
when Raif arrives safely in Montreal 

 
Dear Tracy, 

Doudi’s papa is Raif Badawi, whose horrible public flogging took place two weeks ago in Saudi Arabia.

Raif’s story has sent waves of dismay around the world because his cruel sentence of 1,000 lashes over 20 weeks affronts our common sense of decency.

Mercifully, the flogging to take place today in Jeddah was postponed, not because of the death of the King, but because a medical team determined that Raif was not fit to be lashed again.

This news is a small victory for a child who wants to see his father again.

Watch this video of Doudi's efforts to bring his father home and help us make it happen

THANK YOU for speaking up by signing our petition. The very fact that Raif was examined this week by a medical team rather than a prison doctor tells us that Saudi officials are hearing the voice of more than 800,000 people like you.

Will you do one more thing and make a special donation to help us do what's needed to help Raif and his family?.

In the eyes of Raif's son Doudi, and of anyone who values free speech, Raif is someone to be admired, not locked up and subjected to torture. He is being punished for starting a blog where readers could openly discuss religion, politics and human rights in Saudi Arabia.

Until Raif is free - and all charges are dropped - our continued vigilance and action is needed. The draconian laws behind Raif's sentencing need to be changed, and the repression of peaceful activists in Saudi Arabia must stop. Raif could be flogged again, anytime.

Raif's wife, Ensaf, pictured above, right, has been a courageous voice for her husband, and Amnesty International in Canada has done everything in its power to support her. 

But for Ensaf, Doudi and all who are suffering from repression in Saudi Arabia, we need your help to:

• draw more worldwide attention to Raif's case to exert unrelenting pressure on Saudi Arabia

• coordinate interviews and provide translators to help Raif's wife Ensaf tell her family's story

•  mobilize supporters here and abroad to write letters and take action

•  research, write, print and publish campaign materials to grow the movement calling for Raif's release

•  provide accurate and timely research on the human rights context in Saudi Arabia that has led to the arrest and imprisonment of Raif and others like him who dare to stand up for human rights

This is work we need to pursue tirelessly and with conviction. But it’s hard work with costs that stretch our resources.
Can you make a special gift of $50, $100 or more today?

Your generous support will help us reach more people and pursue all the channels to reach people who have the influence to stop this flogging.

DONATE NOW

If you believe in Amnesty International’s mission, I’d invite you to take this moment and make a further commitment to be a regular monthly supporter.

Supporting Amnesty with a regular gift is the most cost-effective way to make a charitable donation, and it helps us plan for campaigns like Raif’s that can take months and sometimes years to resolve.

Our achievements have a huge impact on the lives of individual people. And your support makes us even stronger. 

Join us now

Like Doudi, we are waiting for the day when Raif’s flight arrives in Montreal.

 

All the best,


Alex Neve

P.S. Not everyone in Canada has the courage or ability to speak up like you have, but I simply can’t imagine that every Canadian who heard Raif’s story wouldn’t stand wholeheartedly behind him and insist on his freedom.
Amnesty International is as strong and influential as you make us.  Amnesty is a registered charity that relies almost entirely financial support from individuals who share our values and want us to save lives like Raif’s. In order to maintain the impartiality and independence of our widely respected research, we do not seek nor accept funds from the government. Please donate today.