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{{Short description|Saudi Arabian writer and activist}}{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

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| native_name_lang = ardf=yes01|13}}| birth_place = Khobar, Saudi Arabia| death_date = | death_place = Saudi Arabian nationality law>Saudi Arabian| relatives = Samar Badawi (sister)| known_for = Blogging, apostasy charge| occupation = Author, writer and activistEnsaf Haidar|2002}}| children = 3| criminal_charge = Insulting Islamflagellation>lashes; fine of {{Currencycode=SAR}}| criminal_status = Released 11 March 2022; banned from travel outside country until 2032}}{{liberalism sidebar}}Raif bin Muhammad Badawi (, also transcribed Raef bin Mohammed Badawi;WEB,www.anhri.net/en/?p=10728, Prominent Saudi writer’s safety at risk after arrest, 11 January 2013, The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, 20 January 2013, PEN International/IFEX,www.anhri.net/en/?p=10728," title="web.archive.org/web/20130116042250www.anhri.net/en/?p=10728,">web.archive.org/web/20130116042250www.anhri.net/en/?p=10728, 16 January 2013, live, born 13 January 1984) is a Saudi writer, dissident and activist, as well as the creator of the website Free Saudi Liberals.Badawi was arrested in 2012 on a charge of “insulting Islam through electronic channels” and brought to court on several charges, including apostasy. In 2013, he was convicted on several charges and sentenced to seven years in prison, and 600 lashes. In 2014 his sentence was increased to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes, and a fine of one-million Saudi riyals. The flogging was to be carried out over 20 weeks. The first 50 lashes were administered on 9 January 2015. The second flogging was postponed more than twelve times.NEWS, Raif Badawi évite le fouet pour une 11e semaine de suite,www.lapresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/201503/27/01-4855950-raif-badawi-evite-le-fouet-pour-une-11e-semaine-de-suite.php, La Presse, 27 March 2015, 27 March 2015,www.lapresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/201503/27/01-4855950-raif-badawi-evite-le-fouet-pour-une-11e-semaine-de-suite.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20150327200904www.lapresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/201503/27/01-4855950-raif-badawi-evite-le-fouet-pour-une-11e-semaine-de-suite.php,">web.archive.org/web/20150327200904www.lapresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/201503/27/01-4855950-raif-badawi-evite-le-fouet-pour-une-11e-semaine-de-suite.php, 27 March 2015, live, {{in lang|fr}} The reason for the most recent postponement is unknown, but the previous scheduled floggings were delayed due to Badawi’s poor health.NEWS, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi spared flogging again this week,www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-spared-flogging-again-this-week/article23001011/, 14 February 2015, 13 February 2015, The Globe and Mail,www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-spared-flogging-again-this-week/article23001011/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150219063858www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-spared-flogging-again-this-week/article23001011/,">web.archive.org/web/20150219063858www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-spared-flogging-again-this-week/article23001011/, 19 February 2015, live, Badawi is known to have hypertension, and his health worsened after the flogging began.WEB,blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/02/02/wife-of-flogged-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-says-his-health-is-worsening/, Wife of flogged Saudi blogger Raif Badawi says his health is worsening, Reuters, 2 February 2015, Ljundggren, David, 3 February 2015,blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/02/02/wife-of-flogged-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-says-his-health-is-worsening/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160324014216blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/02/02/wife-of-flogged-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-says-his-health-is-worsening/,">web.archive.org/web/20160324014216blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2015/02/02/wife-of-flogged-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-says-his-health-is-worsening/, 24 March 2016, dead, His wife, Ensaf Haidar, who took refuge in Canada after her life was threatened in Saudi Arabia, has said Badawi will not be able to survive further flogging.WEB,www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/what-actually-happens-when-you-get-flogged-death, What actually happens when you get flogged, New Statesman, 3 February 2015, Garrisi, Diana, 3 February 2015,www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/what-actually-happens-when-you-get-flogged-death," title="web.archive.org/web/20150203144941www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/what-actually-happens-when-you-get-flogged-death,">web.archive.org/web/20150203144941www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/what-actually-happens-when-you-get-flogged-death, 3 February 2015, live, Ensaf Haidar has given a series of televised interviews about Badawi’s plight, including at the 2016 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.WEB,www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vxl9JjRN4E, Tom Gross interviews Raif Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar at the Geneva Summit 2016, YouTube, 26 February 2016, 12 August 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171104154125/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vxl9JjRN4E, 4 November 2017, live, The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights acts as Badawi’s international legal counsel.MAGAZINE,time.com/5228667/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohamed-bin-salman-raif-badawi/, How Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman Can Prove He Is Sincere About His Reforms, Time, 5 April 2018, en, 2019-01-15,time.com/5228667/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohamed-bin-salman-raif-badawi/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180612173633time.com/5228667/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohamed-bin-salman-raif-badawi/,">web.archive.org/web/20180612173633time.com/5228667/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-mohamed-bin-salman-raif-badawi/, 12 June 2018, live, The organization has led both public advocacy campaigns as well as private diplomatic efforts to help secure Badawi’s release from prison.While his exact location was unknown, it was reported that Badawi was imprisoned in Dhahban Central Prison.WEB, Aldrich, Mark, Inside Raif Badawi’s Prison Cell,thegadabouttown.com/2016/04/17/inside-raif-badawis-prison-cell/, The Gad About Town, 21 November 2018, Goshen, US., en, 18 April 2016,web.archive.org/web/20181122005630/https://thegadabouttown.com/2016/04/17/inside-raif-badawis-prison-cell/, 22 November 2018, live, On 11 March 2022, his family reported that after 10 years Badawi was released from prison. While he is no longer in prison, his 10 years passport ban continues and he may not leave the country.NEWS, 2022-03-11, Raif Badawi: Saudi blogger freed after decade in prison, en-GB, BBC News,www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60714086, 2022-03-11, Al Jazeera quoted an anonymous interior ministry official as saying on March 12, “the sentence handed down to Raif was 10 years in prison followed by a travel ban for the same length of time. The court ruling holds up and is final. ... He cannot leave the kingdom for another 10 years unless a [royal] pardon is issued.“NEWS, Saudi Arabia: 10-year travel ban for freed blogger Raif Badawi, Aljazeera,www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2022/3/12/saudi-arabia-10-year-travel-ban-for-freed-blogger-raif-badawi, 12 March 2022, 19 March 2022,

Early life

Raif Badawi was born on 13 January 1984 in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, to Najwa, a Lebanese Christian, and Muhammad Badawi, a Saudi Muslim. His Saudi grandmother explained to him at a young age that Saudi society historically was not as strict and men and women used to work together in the fields.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}Badawi’s mother died young at an unknown age. He was presumed to be raised by his father and grandmother, who had low income. Badawi attended school until the age of thirteen when his father reported him for parental disobedience, a crime in Saudi Arabia, and spent six months in a teenage detention centre: subsequent bullying, Wahhabi indoctrination, and flogging caused him to be scarred deeply.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Free Saudi Liberals

Influence by reading and Diwaniya

Badawi started an online forum known as “Saudi Liberal Network” on 13 August 2006.He was influenced by numerous books by Arab authors that refused to see the world on a purely religious standpoint, including The Universe Judges God by Abdullah al-Qasemi, Arab Culture in the Age of Globalization by Turki al-Hamad, and Prisoner 32 by Mohammed Saeed Tayeb, an author that Raif deeply admires and was placed under his wing.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}Additionally he was influenced by Diwaniya, a traditional evening meeting of journalists, poets, thinkers, philosophers, and authors who all shared and discussed the dream of a more open, tolerant, secular, and liberal society in Saudi Arabia. Raif frequented these meetings where he expressed his hopes for the development of civil society and the lessening of oppression in the name of religion. He sought to make Saudi citizens aware of their rights and responsibilities so that they would demand their rights.

Headlines, apostasy, indirect criticism, and the Mutawwa

Badawi’s blog made headlines soon after it went online, as it was a space where Saudis could openly speak about liberalism in a conservative country where the king was known as the custodian of the two holiest sites of Islam, Mecca and Medina. He said (in Arabic), “To me, liberalism means simply to live and let live.” Very few Saudis dared to publicly speak about liberalism, because (under the prevailing Saudi interpretation of Islam) it constitutes apostasy, a crime punishable by death; but Raif believed that freedom was worth the risk of such a sacrifice.On his blog Badawi protested actions of the Mutawwa (the “religious police“), but never directly criticized them. He also never directly criticized the Saudi Government, as he considered himself a patriot and admired the King of Saudi Arabia. Posts on his blog primarily questioned and challenged the established rules of the kingdom, such as why women needed a male guardian to walk down the street or why it was so difficult for women to access the labor market and employment. Badawi also questioned the logic of requiring all Saudis to believe in Islam. Despite his Muslim faith, he stated that Islam cannot explain everything and people should be free to believe in whatever religion they choose to follow. He explained to others in a Diwaniya meeting that they are human beings and that they have the right to express themselves and think what they want to.By the end of 2007, Badawi’s blog had at least 2,000 members that debated on the methods of governing Saudi Arabia. Badawi’s writings were tolerated by the relatively liberal King Abdullah, but not by the religious police who arrested him in late 2007. For many hours Badawi was interrogated regarding his activities, but was eventually released with no charges made against him. Unsatisfied by the interrogation, the religious police made a surprise raid at Badawi’s home a few days later to search for forbidden books, but left with nothing. The religious police began to interrogate Badawi frequently, frightening his wife, Ensaf Haidar, despite Badawi’s frequent attempts to reassure her that the interrogations would not lead to charges and punishment, and that the police had nothing on him.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Trials and sentences

Arrest, trial and first sentence

First detained on apostasy charges in 2008, Badawi was released after a day of questioning. He was prevented from leaving Saudi Arabia, and both his and his wife’s bank accounts were frozen in 2009.WEB,www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2281, Saudi Arabia: Travel ban against blogger Mr Raif Badawi for criticising religious police, 8 December 2009, Front Line Defenders, 2 January 2013, 3 December 2012,www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2281," title="web.archive.org/web/20121203214822www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2281,">web.archive.org/web/20121203214822www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2281, live, The family of Badawi’s wife subsequently filed a court action to forcibly divorce the couple on grounds of Badawi’s alleged apostasy. On 17 June 2012, he was arrested on a charge of “insulting Islam through electronic channels”, and the following December he was also cited for apostasy, a conviction which carries an automatic death sentence.WEB,www.reuters.com/article/net-us-saudi-website-apostasy-idUSBRE8BL0DA20121222, Saudi website editor could face death for apostasy-rights group, 22 December 2012, Reuters, 2 January 2013, 31 December 2012, Angus McDowall,www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/net-us-saudi-website-apostasy-idUSBRE8BL0DA20121222," title="web.archive.org/web/20121231020642www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/net-us-saudi-website-apostasy-idUSBRE8BL0DA20121222,">web.archive.org/web/20121231020642www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/net-us-saudi-website-apostasy-idUSBRE8BL0DA20121222, live, WEB,news.sky.com/story/1029255/saudi-arabian-blogger-could-face-death-penalty, Saudi Arabian Blogger Could Face Death Penalty, 23 December 2012, Sky News, 2 January 2013, 27 December 2012,news.sky.com/story/1029255/saudi-arabian-blogger-could-face-death-penalty," title="web.archive.org/web/20121227150215news.sky.com/story/1029255/saudi-arabian-blogger-could-face-death-penalty,">web.archive.org/web/20121227150215news.sky.com/story/1029255/saudi-arabian-blogger-could-face-death-penalty, live, However, Badawi was confirmed to be a Muslim after reciting the Shahada in court, and also stated that people should have the right to choose their faith. Human Rights Watch stated that Badawi’s website had hosted material criticizing “senior religious figures”. Badawi had also suggested that Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University had become “a den for terrorists.“WEB, Brian Whitaker, Saudi activist faces new execution threat,www.al-bab.com/blog/2013/december/saudi-activist-faces-new-execution-threat.htm#sthash.P5VHqt9x.dpbs, al-bab.com, 17 July 2014, 26 December 2013,www.al-bab.com/blog/2013/december/saudi-activist-faces-new-execution-threat.htm#sthash.P5VHqt9x.dpbs," title="web.archive.org/web/20141230083254www.al-bab.com/blog/2013/december/saudi-activist-faces-new-execution-threat.htm#sthash.P5VHqt9x.dpbs,">web.archive.org/web/20141230083254www.al-bab.com/blog/2013/december/saudi-activist-faces-new-execution-threat.htm#sthash.P5VHqt9x.dpbs, 30 December 2014, dead, Following the 2012 arrest, Amnesty International designated Badawi a prisoner of conscience, “detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression”, and said: “Even in Saudi Arabia where state repression is rife, it is beyond the pale to seek the death penalty for an activist whose only ‘crime’ was to enable social debate online”.WEB,www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-uses-capital-offence-apostasy-stifle-debate-2012-12-24, Saudi Arabia uses capital offence of ‘apostasy’ to stifle debate, 24 December 2012, Amnesty International, 2 January 2013, 30 December 2012,www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-uses-capital-offence-apostasy-stifle-debate-2012-12-24," title="web.archive.org/web/20121230180331www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-uses-capital-offence-apostasy-stifle-debate-2012-12-24,">web.archive.org/web/20121230180331www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-uses-capital-offence-apostasy-stifle-debate-2012-12-24, live, Calling for the government to drop the charges, Human Rights Watch stated: “The charges against him, based solely to Badawi’s involvement in setting up a website for peaceful discussion about religion and religious figures, violate his right to freedom of expression”.WEB,www.hrw.org/fr/node/112178, Saudi Arabia: Website Editor Facing Death Penalty, 22 December 2012, Human Rights Watch, Moroccan human rights activist Kacem El Ghazzali also criticized Saudi Arabia authority.Charged with “setting up a website that undermines general security”, “ridiculing Islamic religious figures”, and “going beyond the realm of obedience”, Badawi appeared before a district court in Jeddah on 17 December 2012. The judge referred the charge of apostasy to a higher court, saying he “could not give a verdict in a case of apostasy.“WEB,www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=56110, Saudi rights activist faces apostasy charge, 17 December 2012, Middle East Online, 20 January 2013,www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=56110," title="web.archive.org/web/20121230204859www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=56110,">web.archive.org/web/20121230204859www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=56110, 30 December 2012, live, On 22 December, the General Court in Jeddah found merits in the apostasy charges. And then it referred the case back to the lower court, as the latter is said to require the wisdom of higher court to try apostasy.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21149851, Raif Badawi: Court refuses to charge Saudi blogger, BBC News, 22 January 2013, 11 January 2015,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21149851," title="web.archive.org/web/20140702191122www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21149851,">web.archive.org/web/20140702191122www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21149851, 2 July 2014, live, On 30 July 2013, Saudi media reported that Badawi had been sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes for founding an Internet forum that “violates Islamic values and propagates liberal thought”. The court also ordered the website closed.WEB,www.nydailynews.com/news/world/saudi-arabian-social-website-editor-sentenced-years-behind-bars-600-lashes-article-1.1412811, Saudi Arabian social website editor sentenced to seven years behind bars and 600 lashes., NY Daily News, 30 July 2013, 11 January 2015,www.nydailynews.com/news/world/saudi-arabian-social-website-editor-sentenced-years-behind-bars-600-lashes-article-1.1412811," title="web.archive.org/web/20150612003011www.nydailynews.com/news/world/saudi-arabian-social-website-editor-sentenced-years-behind-bars-600-lashes-article-1.1412811,">web.archive.org/web/20150612003011www.nydailynews.com/news/world/saudi-arabian-social-website-editor-sentenced-years-behind-bars-600-lashes-article-1.1412811, 12 June 2015, live,

Sentence increased

On 26 December 2013, Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar told CNN a judge had ruled that her husband should go before a high court for the apostasy charge which would result in a death penalty if convicted.WEB,www.cnn.com/2013/12/25/world/meast/saudi-blogger-death-sentence/index.html, Wife: Saudi blogger recommended for apostasy trial, Salma Abdelaziz, 26 December 2013, CNN.com, 11 January 2015,www.cnn.com/2013/12/25/world/meast/saudi-blogger-death-sentence/index.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150116072102www.cnn.com/2013/12/25/world/meast/saudi-blogger-death-sentence/index.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150116072102www.cnn.com/2013/12/25/world/meast/saudi-blogger-death-sentence/index.html, 16 January 2015, live, On 7 May 2014, Badawi’s sentence was increased to 1000 lashes, 10 years in prison, and a fine of {{Currency|1 million|SAR}} (equal to about {{Currency|267,000}} at the time), for “insulting Islam”.NEWS,edition.cnn.com/2014/05/07/world/meast/saudi-activist-sentenced/, Saudi activist sentenced to 10 years, 1,000 lashes for insulting Islam, Jamjoom, Mohammed, 7 May 2014, CNN International, 8 May 2014,edition.cnn.com/2014/05/07/world/meast/saudi-activist-sentenced/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140508110806edition.cnn.com/2014/05/07/world/meast/saudi-activist-sentenced/,">web.archive.org/web/20140508110806edition.cnn.com/2014/05/07/world/meast/saudi-activist-sentenced/, 8 May 2014, live, NEWS, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi gets 10-year jail sentence,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27318400, 11 January 2014, 8 May 2014,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27318400," title="web.archive.org/web/20140508222615www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27318400,">web.archive.org/web/20140508222615www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27318400, 8 May 2014, live, In mid-January 2015, the case was passed to the Saudi Supreme Court for review.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30856403, Saudis ‘to review’ flogging of blogger Raif Badawi, BBC, 16 January 2015, 21 July 2018,web.archive.org/web/20190123225740/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30856403, 23 January 2019, live, WEB,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-publicly-beheads-woman-in-holy-mecca-as-blogger-set-to-receive-second-lashing-9982134.html, Saudi Arabia publicly beheads woman in holy Mecca as blogger lashings are postponed, 16 January 2015, The Independent, 10 September 2017,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-publicly-beheads-woman-in-holy-mecca-as-blogger-set-to-receive-second-lashing-9982134.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20171018095257www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-publicly-beheads-woman-in-holy-mecca-as-blogger-set-to-receive-second-lashing-9982134.html,">web.archive.org/web/20171018095257www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-publicly-beheads-woman-in-holy-mecca-as-blogger-set-to-receive-second-lashing-9982134.html, 18 October 2017, live, WEB,www.amnesty.org/en/news/postponement-raif-badawi-flogging-medical-grounds-exposes-shocking-brutality-punishment-2015-01, Postponement of Raif Badawi flogging on medical grounds exposes shocking brutality of punishment, Amnesty International, 16 January 2015, dead,www.amnesty.org/en/news/postponement-raif-badawi-flogging-medical-grounds-exposes-shocking-brutality-punishment-2015-01," title="web.archive.org/web/20150217113824www.amnesty.org/en/news/postponement-raif-badawi-flogging-medical-grounds-exposes-shocking-brutality-punishment-2015-01,">web.archive.org/web/20150217113824www.amnesty.org/en/news/postponement-raif-badawi-flogging-medical-grounds-exposes-shocking-brutality-punishment-2015-01, 17 February 2015, On 1 March 2015, Badawi’s wife told reporters that judges in Saudi Arabia’s criminal court wanted to retry him for apostasy, and that if found guilty he would be sentenced to death.WEB, Rawlinson, Kevin, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi could be retried and beheaded, say his family,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/01/raif-badawi-could-be-retried-and-beheaded-family-ensaf-haidar-apostasy, The Guardian, 1 March 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20171020014442/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/01/raif-badawi-could-be-retried-and-beheaded-family-ensaf-haidar-apostasy, 20 October 2017, live, WEB, Green, Chris, Raif Badawi, the Saudi Arabian blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes, may now face the death penalty,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-the-saudi-arabian-blogger-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-may-now-get-the-death-penalty-10077877.html, The Independent, 1 March 2015, 10 September 2017,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-the-saudi-arabian-blogger-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-may-now-get-the-death-penalty-10077877.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170715180032www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-the-saudi-arabian-blogger-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-may-now-get-the-death-penalty-10077877.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170715180032www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-the-saudi-arabian-blogger-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-may-now-get-the-death-penalty-10077877.html, 15 July 2017, live,

Ensaf Haidar takes refuge in Canada

File:Ensaf Haidar, wife of Raif Badawi speaking in 2015.jpg|thumb|left|Ensaf HaidarEnsaf HaidarA few days after a court hearing, Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar started receiving anonymous death threats. She fled to Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada with their three children.WEB,www.independent.co.uk/news/people/raif-badawi-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-the-man-who-started-free-saudi-liberals-website-has-ignited-a-global-debate-9979929.html, Raif Badawi: Sentenced to 1000 lashes, the man who started Free Saudi Liberals website has ignited a global debate, The Independent, 15 January 2015, Nianias, Helen, 10 September 2017,www.independent.co.uk/news/people/raif-badawi-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-the-man-who-started-free-saudi-liberals-website-has-ignited-a-global-debate-9979929.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150925151450www.independent.co.uk/news/people/raif-badawi-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-the-man-who-started-free-saudi-liberals-website-has-ignited-a-global-debate-9979929.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150925151450www.independent.co.uk/news/people/raif-badawi-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-the-man-who-started-free-saudi-liberals-website-has-ignited-a-global-debate-9979929.html, 25 September 2015, live, On 27 January 2015, Canadian politician Marc Garneau announced in an opinion piece that he and his political colleague Irwin Cotler would “[assist] Badawi’s wife in her efforts to save her husband.“WEB,montrealgazette.com/news/world/opinion-canada-must-use-all-diplomatic-resources-to-help-free-raif-badawi, Opinion: Canada must use all diplomatic resources to help free Raif Badawi, Montreal Gazette, 27 January 2015, 27 January 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190127172453/https://montrealgazette.com/news/world/opinion-canada-must-use-all-diplomatic-resources-to-help-free-raif-badawi, 27 January 2019, live, Addressing the UN Human Rights Council as a representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), Kacem El Ghazzali criticized Saudi Arabia for sentencing Badawi to 7 years in prison and 600 lashes, calling it a “gratuitous, violent sentence”.WEB,iheu.org/iheu-laments-human-rights-council-member-states-who-imprison-blasphemers/, International Humanist and Ethical Union – IHEU laments Human Rights Council member states who imprison ‘blasphemers’, 11 January 2015,iheu.org/iheu-laments-human-rights-council-member-states-who-imprison-blasphemers/," title="web.archive.org/web/20161209203101iheu.org/iheu-laments-human-rights-council-member-states-who-imprison-blasphemers/,">web.archive.org/web/20161209203101iheu.org/iheu-laments-human-rights-council-member-states-who-imprison-blasphemers/, 9 December 2016, live, WEB,www.youtube.com/watch?v=J895yHZ8miA, IHEU representative Kacem El Ghazzali in support of Raif Badawi at the United Nations, YouTube, 11 January 2015,web.archive.org/web/20151201082137/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J895yHZ8miA, 1 December 2015, live,

Prosecution and imprisonment of Badawi’s lawyer

Badawi’s lawyer Waleed Abulkhair (also transcribed as Abu al-Khair) was imprisoned after setting up Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, a Saudi human rights organization. He is charged with “setting up an unlicensed organization” and “breaking allegiance with the ruler”. His requests to license the organization were denied.JOURNAL, Waleed Abu al-Khair: Rights Defender on Trial,www.hrw.org/node/121372/section/5, Human Rights Watch, 17 December 2013, 8 May 2014,www.hrw.org/node/121372/section/5," title="web.archive.org/web/20140504032140www.hrw.org/node/121372/section/5,">web.archive.org/web/20140504032140www.hrw.org/node/121372/section/5, 4 May 2014, live, On 7 July 2014, Abulkhair was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, followed by a 15-year travel ban. The Specialized Criminal Court in Jeddah found him guilty of “undermining the regime and officials”, “inciting public opinion”, and “insulting the judiciary”.WEB,www.ibtimes.co.uk/waleed-abulkhair-given-15-years-activism-who-influential-saudi-human-rights-lawyer-1455611, Waleed Abulkhair Given 15 Years for Activism: Who is the Influential Saudi Human Rights Lawyer?, Smith, Lydia, International Business Times, 7 July 2014, 16 January 2015,www.ibtimes.co.uk/waleed-abulkhair-given-15-years-activism-who-influential-saudi-human-rights-lawyer-1455611," title="web.archive.org/web/20150202090201www.ibtimes.co.uk/waleed-abulkhair-given-15-years-activism-who-influential-saudi-human-rights-lawyer-1455611,">web.archive.org/web/20150202090201www.ibtimes.co.uk/waleed-abulkhair-given-15-years-activism-who-influential-saudi-human-rights-lawyer-1455611, 2 February 2015, live, WEB,en.rsf.org/saudi-arabia-jailed-and-on-trial-for-reporting-20-06-2014,46489.html, Jailed and on trial for reporting human rights violations, Reporters Without Borders, 20 June 2014, 6 March 2015,en.rsf.org/saudi-arabia-jailed-and-on-trial-for-reporting-20-06-2014,46489.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150321144122en.rsf.org/saudi-arabia-jailed-and-on-trial-for-reporting-20-06-2014,46489.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150321144122en.rsf.org/saudi-arabia-jailed-and-on-trial-for-reporting-20-06-2014,46489.html, 21 March 2015, live, Abulkhair told BBC that Badawi had confirmed in court that he was a Muslim and had told the judge, “Everyone has a choice to believe or not believe.“NEWS, Lash and jail for Saudi web activist Raef Badawi,www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23506404, 17 July 2014, BBC, 30 July 2013, Lawyer Waleed Abu Alkhair told the BBC that Mr Badawi, a father of three, had confirmed in court that he was a Muslim but told the judge “everyone has a choice to believe or not believe.”,www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23506404," title="web.archive.org/web/20140711180947www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23506404,">web.archive.org/web/20140711180947www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-23506404, 11 July 2014, live,

Public flogging

(File:Raif Badawi Protest Oslo.jpg|thumb|right|A group protests against the flogging of Badawi outside the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Oslo, Norway, 16 January 2015)On 9 January 2015, Badawi received 50 lashes before hundreds of spectators in front of a Jeddah mosque, the first in a total of 1,000 lashes to be administered over twenty weeks.NEWS, Saudi blogger receives first 50 lashes of sentence for ‘insulting Islam’,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/09/saudi-blogger-first-lashes-raif-badawi, 11 January 2014, Associated Press in Dubai, The Guardian, 10 January 2015,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/09/saudi-blogger-first-lashes-raif-badawi," title="web.archive.org/web/20150110104532www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/09/saudi-blogger-first-lashes-raif-badawi,">web.archive.org/web/20150110104532www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/09/saudi-blogger-first-lashes-raif-badawi, 10 January 2015, live, The incident was condemned by Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Said Boumedouha: “The flogging of Raif Badawi is a vicious act of cruelty which is prohibited under international law. By ignoring international calls to cancel the flogging, Saudi Arabia’s authorities have demonstrated an abhorrent disregard for the most basic human rights principles.“WEB,www.amnesty.org/en/news/flogging-raif-badawi-saudi-arabia-vicious-act-cruelty-2015-01-09, Flogging of Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia ‘vicious act of cruelty’, Amnesty International, 9 January 2015, 12 January 2015,www.amnesty.org/en/news/flogging-raif-badawi-saudi-arabia-vicious-act-cruelty-2015-01-09," title="archive.today/20150115102133www.amnesty.org/en/news/flogging-raif-badawi-saudi-arabia-vicious-act-cruelty-2015-01-09,">archive.today/20150115102133www.amnesty.org/en/news/flogging-raif-badawi-saudi-arabia-vicious-act-cruelty-2015-01-09, 15 January 2015, live, Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad of Jordan said: “Such punishment is prohibited under international human rights law, in particular the convention against torture, which Saudi Arabia has ratified. I appeal to the king of Saudi Arabia to exercise his power to halt the public flogging by pardoning Mr Badawi, and to urgently review this type of extraordinarily harsh penalty”.WEB,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/16/saudi-arabia-postpones-flogging-blogger-raif-badawi, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi’s case referred to supreme court, says his wife, The Guardian, 16 January 2015, 12 December 2016,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/16/saudi-arabia-postpones-flogging-blogger-raif-badawi," title="web.archive.org/web/20150706133632www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/16/saudi-arabia-postpones-flogging-blogger-raif-badawi,">web.archive.org/web/20150706133632www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/16/saudi-arabia-postpones-flogging-blogger-raif-badawi, 6 July 2015, live, Sebastian Usher, Middle East analyst for the BBC said he suspected that Saudi leaders had been unprepared for the scale of international protest in response to the flogging.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30937490, Saudi Arabia postpones flogging of Raif Badawi again, BBC, 22 January 2015, 21 July 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180817182034/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30937490, 17 August 2018, live, In May 2022, photographer John Elliott, a former U.S. State Department official stationed in Jeddah and who witnessed the 2015 flogging, released the only two photographs documenting the public spectacle.WEB,www.thehumanpulse.com/the-flogging-of-raif-badawi/, The Flogging of Raif Badawi, 24 May 2022, Included with the photos were extensive and hitherto unrevealed details of the experience.Raif Badawi’s wife Ensaf Haidar said after hearing about the flogging: “What I felt was indescribable. It was an indescribable mixture of sadness and pain... It was painfully horrible to imagine what was happening to Raif.“WEB,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/15/pressure-saudi-arabia-over-blogger-raif-badawi-flogging, Pressure grows on Saudi Arabia over blogger facing second flogging, The Guardian, 15 January 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160813132921/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/15/pressure-saudi-arabia-over-blogger-raif-badawi-flogging, 13 August 2016, live, She also said, “I appreciate all the attention that Raif’s case has been getting. I hope that all the governments in the world will intensify their efforts to pressure the authorities to stop what they intend doing [sic] to my husband. I believe they can do it, if they speak directly to the government in Saudi”.WEB,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/17/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-global-pressure-release, Saudi blogger’s wife says global pressure could force his release, The Guardian, 17 January 2015, McVeigh, Tracy, Mahmood, Mona, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20161111211246/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/17/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-global-pressure-release, 11 November 2016, live, Further lashings were postponedWEB, Black, Ian,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/22/flogging-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-postponed, Planned flogging of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi postponed again, The Guardian, 23 January 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20161223222152/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/22/flogging-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-postponed, 23 December 2016, live, because the injuries from the first had not healed and Badawi was in poor medical condition.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02h60bs, Close friend of Raif Badawi says he’s ‘not in a good condition’, BBC Radio 5, 18 January 2015, 20 January 2015,www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02h60bs," title="web.archive.org/web/20150125035252www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02h60bs,">web.archive.org/web/20150125035252www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02h60bs, 25 January 2015, live, Badawi is a diabetic with a slim build.WEB,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/21/-sp-saudi-blogger-wife-raid-badawi-lashes, Saudi blogger’s wife: I feel destroyed but I will not sit in a corner and cry, Paquin, Mali Ilse, 21 January 2015, The Guardian, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20161218040121/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/21/-sp-saudi-blogger-wife-raid-badawi-lashes, 18 December 2016, live, He was to receive the punishment 50 lashes at a time every Friday for 20 weeks until the sentence was complete.

International reaction

File:London protest against Saudi Arabia’s detention and flogging of prisoner of conscience Raif Badawi.jpg|thumb|left|A protest outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London, 13 January 2017]]There was an international campaign to free Badawi, comprising street protests, petitions, letters, and social media activity.WEB,www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2015/jan/23/raif-badawi-flogging-halted-protest-goes-on, Raif Badawi’s flogging is halted, but the protest goes on. Demonstrators outside the Saudi embassy remind Zoe Williams that this outrage is all our business, The Guardian, 23 January 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160818080858/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2015/jan/23/raif-badawi-flogging-halted-protest-goes-on, 18 August 2016, live, WEB, Kestler-D’Amours, Jillian, Bianca Jagger joins fight to free Saudi blogger Raif Badawi: A global campaign to free Raif Badawi is growing amid concerns the father of three now risks beheading on charges of apostasy.,www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/03/04/public-support-builds-to-free-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi.html, Toronto Star, 4 March 2015, 10 September 2017,web.archive.org/web/20160808122551/https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/03/04/public-support-builds-to-free-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi.html, 8 August 2016, live, The hashtag “JeSuisRaif”, echoing Je suis Charlie, trended in January 2015.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-30902593, FreeSpeechStories: The explosion of #JeSuis____ campaigns, BBC, 20 January 2015, 21 July 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180701112720/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-30902593, 1 July 2018, live, The readiness of some Saudi doctors to perform medical assessments prior to floggings has been questioned, and described as doctors participating in acts of torture. UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond raised the issue with the Saudi ambassador for the United Kingdom, and a Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are seriously concerned by Raif Badawi’s case. The UK condemns the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in all circumstances.“WEB,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-flogging-case-raised-with-saudi-ambassador-9996626.html, Raif Badawi: Flogging case raised with Saudi ambassador, The Independent, 22 January 2015, 10 September 2017,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-flogging-case-raised-with-saudi-ambassador-9996626.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160803114734www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-flogging-case-raised-with-saudi-ambassador-9996626.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160803114734www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-flogging-case-raised-with-saudi-ambassador-9996626.html, 3 August 2016, live, Eighteen Nobel laureates signed an open letter urging Saudi academics to condemn the flogging of Badawi. The Independent commented that many leading western scientists, uneasy about working with Saudi academics because of the “inexcusable” human rights situation there, may refuse to work with Saudis if the open letter is disregarded.WEB,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-exclusive-nobel-laureates-urge-saudi-academics-to-condemn-flogging-of-writer-jailed-for-daring-to-criticise-clerics-9989037.html, Raif Badawi Exclusive: Nobel Laureates urge Saudi academics to condemn flogging of writer jailed for daring to criticise clerics, The Independent, 19 January 2015, 10 September 2017,www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-exclusive-nobel-laureates-urge-saudi-academics-to-condemn-flogging-of-writer-jailed-for-daring-to-criticise-clerics-9989037.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150925194106www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-exclusive-nobel-laureates-urge-saudi-academics-to-condemn-flogging-of-writer-jailed-for-daring-to-criticise-clerics-9989037.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150925194106www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-exclusive-nobel-laureates-urge-saudi-academics-to-condemn-flogging-of-writer-jailed-for-daring-to-criticise-clerics-9989037.html, 25 September 2015, live, As of 22 January 2015, Amnesty International’s petition to release Badawi from prison had nearly 800,000 signatories.NEWS, Brian, Ries, 22 January 2015, Flogging of Saudi blogger is postponed again as doctors raise health concerns,mashable.com/2015/01/22/saudi-blogger-flogging/#JFAhl5yez8q9, Mashable, 1 November 2015,mashable.com/2015/01/22/saudi-blogger-flogging/#JFAhl5yez8q9," title="web.archive.org/web/20150913213632mashable.com/2015/01/22/saudi-blogger-flogging/#JFAhl5yez8q9,">web.archive.org/web/20150913213632mashable.com/2015/01/22/saudi-blogger-flogging/#JFAhl5yez8q9, 13 September 2015, live, Badawi was again a trending topic on Twitter a week later and his wife told the BBC that the family suffered “perpetual anxiety”.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30837435, Beaten for blogging: #Free Speech Stories, BBC, 16 January 2015, 21 July 2018,www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30837435," title="web.archive.org/web/20160921143443www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30837435,">web.archive.org/web/20160921143443www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30837435, 21 September 2016, live, Urging Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to intervene with Saudi authorities, she also told an all-party group of Canadian Members of Parliament that “Raif’s health condition is getting worse and worse” according to several doctors who had examined her husband in the previous week, and that she was “very concerned about him. It is impossible for a human being to be able to withstand 50 lashes weekly.“WEB,www.cbc.ca/news/politics/raif-badawi-s-wife-seeks-stephen-harper-s-help-for-jailed-saudi-blogger-1.2936861, Raif Badawi’s wife seeks Stephen Harper’s help for jailed Saudi blogger, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 29 January 2015, 30 January 2015,www.cbc.ca/news/politics/raif-badawi-s-wife-seeks-stephen-harper-s-help-for-jailed-saudi-blogger-1.2936861," title="web.archive.org/web/20150131080433www.cbc.ca/news/politics/raif-badawi-s-wife-seeks-stephen-harper-s-help-for-jailed-saudi-blogger-1.2936861,">web.archive.org/web/20150131080433www.cbc.ca/news/politics/raif-badawi-s-wife-seeks-stephen-harper-s-help-for-jailed-saudi-blogger-1.2936861, 31 January 2015, live, After the second series of lashes was postponed for the third time on 30 January 2015, with no reason given, there was hope that Badawi might be released.WEB, Banerjee, Sidhartha,globalnews.ca/news/1803297/does-release-of-souad-al-shammari-mean-raif-badawi-could-be-freed/, Does release of Souad al-Shammari mean Raif Badawi could be freed?, 30 January 2015, Global News, 31 January 2015,globalnews.ca/news/1803297/does-release-of-souad-al-shammari-mean-raif-badawi-could-be-freed/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150402093113globalnews.ca/news/1803297/does-release-of-souad-al-shammari-mean-raif-badawi-could-be-freed/,">web.archive.org/web/20150402093113globalnews.ca/news/1803297/does-release-of-souad-al-shammari-mean-raif-badawi-could-be-freed/, 2 April 2015, live, On 5 February 2015, it was reported that he had appeared in court the day before the next scheduled flogging. Amnesty and others again expressed concern.WEB,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-back-in-court-future-remains-uncertain-1.2947042, Raif Badawi back in court, future remains uncertain, CBC News, 5 February 2015, 6 February 2015,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-back-in-court-future-remains-uncertain-1.2947042," title="web.archive.org/web/20150208095720www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-back-in-court-future-remains-uncertain-1.2947042,">web.archive.org/web/20150208095720www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-back-in-court-future-remains-uncertain-1.2947042, 8 February 2015, live, In Québec, where Badawi’s family now live as refugees, and where his situation is seen as symbolic of the worldwide struggle for free speech, the public have taken up his case and protests in Sherbrooke and elsewhere are regular.WEB,montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/campaign-to-release-saudi-blogger-heats-up-as-case-referred-to-court-of-appeal, Campaign to release Saudi blogger heats up as case referred to Court of Appeal, 4 February 2015, Lalonde, Michelle, Montreal Gazette, 27 January 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190124102103/https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/campaign-to-release-saudi-blogger-heats-up-as-case-referred-to-court-of-appeal, 24 January 2019, live, The flogging was postponed a fourth time, with the postponement announced close to the scheduled time, keeping Badawi and those concerned about him in suspense.WEB,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-s-flogging-delayed-for-4th-week-1.2947475, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi’s flogging delayed for 4th week, CBC News, 6 February 2015, 7 February 2015,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-s-flogging-delayed-for-4th-week-1.2947475," title="web.archive.org/web/20150207080750www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-s-flogging-delayed-for-4th-week-1.2947475,">web.archive.org/web/20150207080750www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-s-flogging-delayed-for-4th-week-1.2947475, 7 February 2015, live, The following week, the National Assembly of Québec unanimously passed a motion condemning Badawi’s flogging and calling on the governments of Québec and Canada to do everything possible to secure his freedom.WEB, Raif Badawi: National Assembly lends support to Saudi blogger,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-national-assembly-lends-support-to-saudi-blogger-1.2953930, CBC News, 11 February 2015, 6 March 2015,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-national-assembly-lends-support-to-saudi-blogger-1.2953930," title="web.archive.org/web/20150225204638www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-national-assembly-lends-support-to-saudi-blogger-1.2953930,">web.archive.org/web/20150225204638www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-national-assembly-lends-support-to-saudi-blogger-1.2953930, 25 February 2015, live, By the end of February, the next flogging had been postponed seven times.WEB,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-weekly-flogging-delayed-for-7th-week-in-a-row-1.2975145, Raif Badawi weekly flogging delayed for 7th week in a row, CBC News, 27 February 2015, 28 February 2015,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-weekly-flogging-delayed-for-7th-week-in-a-row-1.2975145," title="web.archive.org/web/20150228044802www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-weekly-flogging-delayed-for-7th-week-in-a-row-1.2975145,">web.archive.org/web/20150228044802www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-weekly-flogging-delayed-for-7th-week-in-a-row-1.2975145, 28 February 2015, live, Sixty-seven members of the United States Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the King of Saudi Arabia on 3 March 2015, calling for the release of all prisoners of conscience, including Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu Al-Khair.WEB, Brekke, Kira, Members of Congress Call on Saudi Arabia To Release Blogger Raif Badawi,www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/05/saudi-arabia-raif-badawi-congress_n_6810204.html, The World Post, 5 March 2015, 6 March 2015,www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/05/saudi-arabia-raif-badawi-congress_n_6810204.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150306134638www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/05/saudi-arabia-raif-badawi-congress_n_6810204.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150306134638www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/05/saudi-arabia-raif-badawi-congress_n_6810204.html, 6 March 2015, live, WEB, Letter from U. S. Congress to King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud,www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/LetterCongressToWhiteHouseSaudiArabiaMarch2015.pdf, Amnesty International, 3 March 2015, 6 March 2015,www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/LetterCongressToWhiteHouseSaudiArabiaMarch2015.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20150306134556www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/LetterCongressToWhiteHouseSaudiArabiaMarch2015.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20150306134556www.amnestyusa.org/pdfs/LetterCongressToWhiteHouseSaudiArabiaMarch2015.pdf, 6 March 2015, live, The same day, South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu sent a letter to King Salman in support of Badawi, saying “We are all members of faiths that underscore mercy and forgiveness.“WEB, Benson, Ophelia, Ophelia Benson, Desmond to Salman,freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2015/03/desmond-to-salman/, Butterflies and Wheels, 3 March 2015, 7 March 2015,freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2015/03/desmond-to-salman/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150309074324freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2015/03/desmond-to-salman/,">web.archive.org/web/20150309074324freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2015/03/desmond-to-salman/, 9 March 2015, live, On 6 March, a group of Northern Ireland trade union leaders including journalists Eamonn McCann and Felicity McCall published an open letter in the Belfast Telegraph condemning the “barbaric punishment” of Raif Badawi and calling for his release,WEB, Appeal to free flogged blogger from Saudi jail,www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/appeal-to-free-flogged-blogger-from-saudi-jail-31043725.html, Belfast Telegraph, 6 March 2015, 6 March 2015,www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/appeal-to-free-flogged-blogger-from-saudi-jail-31043725.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150402180329www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/appeal-to-free-flogged-blogger-from-saudi-jail-31043725.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150402180329www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/appeal-to-free-flogged-blogger-from-saudi-jail-31043725.html, 2 April 2015, live, and German journalist Constantin Schreiber announced that Badawi’s first book would be published in April.WEB, Schreiber, Constantin, Proud to support @raif_badawi with our new book, out 1 April,twitter.com/Constantin3alam/status/573847753811488768, Twitter, 6 March 2015, (File:Demonstrasjon for Raif Badawi (32685298245).jpg|thumb|Oslo protest against Saudi Arabia’s detention of Badawi, 3 February 2017)In early March 2015, Ensaf Haidar petitioned Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs, to use his influence to free Badawi during an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. Katrin Göring-Eckardt, a German parliamentary leader, also called on Gabriel to bring up the case during his visit.WEB, New arms export revelations embarrass Gabriel ahead of Mid-East tour,www.dw.de/new-arms-export-revelations-embarrass-gabriel-ahead-of-mid-east-tour/a-18300775, Deutsche Welle, 6 March 2015, 6 March 2015,www.dw.de/new-arms-export-revelations-embarrass-gabriel-ahead-of-mid-east-tour/a-18300775," title="web.archive.org/web/20150307204009www.dw.de/new-arms-export-revelations-embarrass-gabriel-ahead-of-mid-east-tour/a-18300775,">web.archive.org/web/20150307204009www.dw.de/new-arms-export-revelations-embarrass-gabriel-ahead-of-mid-east-tour/a-18300775, 7 March 2015, live, As Gabriel left for Saudi Arabia on 7 March, protesters at the airport urged him to support Badawi.WEB, Blogger Badawi: Gabriel wants to work for release,panteres.com/2015/03/07/blogger-badawi-gabriel-wants-to-work-for-release/, Panteres, 7 March 2015, 7 March 2015,panteres.com/2015/03/07/blogger-badawi-gabriel-wants-to-work-for-release/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150323145852panteres.com/2015/03/07/blogger-badawi-gabriel-wants-to-work-for-release/,">web.archive.org/web/20150323145852panteres.com/2015/03/07/blogger-badawi-gabriel-wants-to-work-for-release/, 23 March 2015, live, Gabriel said he intended to broach the subject of Badawi with the royal family. In Riyadh he told reporters, “I think it’s quite normal that people the world over are interested in something like this. And that shouldn’t surprise anyone here.“WEB, Blogger Badawi a hot topic on Gabriel’s Riyadh visit,www.dw.de/blogger-badawi-a-hot-topic-on-gabriels-riyadh-visit/a-18302158, Deutsche Welle, 7 March 2015, 8 March 2015,www.dw.de/blogger-badawi-a-hot-topic-on-gabriels-riyadh-visit/a-18302158," title="web.archive.org/web/20150309045155www.dw.de/blogger-badawi-a-hot-topic-on-gabriels-riyadh-visit/a-18302158,">web.archive.org/web/20150309045155www.dw.de/blogger-badawi-a-hot-topic-on-gabriels-riyadh-visit/a-18302158, 9 March 2015, live, He added, “The harshness of this sentence, especially the corporal punishment, is something unimaginable for us, and of course it weighs on our relations (with Saudi Arabia).“WEB, Merkel’s deputy says case of blogger Raif Badawi straining Saudi-German relations,www.startribune.com/world/295525421.html, StarTribune, 8 March 2015, Associated Press, 8 March 2015, 3 August 2019,www.startribune.com/world/295525421.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20190803082540www.startribune.com/world/295525421.html,">web.archive.org/web/20190803082540www.startribune.com/world/295525421.html, dead, The Saudi Arabian government responded by rejecting criticism of its human rights record and asserting that “it does not accept interference in any form in its internal affairs.“NEWS, McDowall, Angus, Jones, Gareth, Saudi Arabia rejects rights criticism after flogging of blogger,www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-rights-badawi-idUSKBN0M30SP20150307, 21 November 2015, Reuters, 7 March 2015, Riyadh,www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/07/us-saudi-rights-badawi-idUSKBN0M30SP20150307," title="web.archive.org/web/20151121230257www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/07/us-saudi-rights-badawi-idUSKBN0M30SP20150307,">web.archive.org/web/20151121230257www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/07/us-saudi-rights-badawi-idUSKBN0M30SP20150307, 21 November 2015, live, Sweden’s foreign minister, Margot Wallström, has spoken publicly about Badawi’s case and other Saudi Arabian human rights issues. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia blocked Wallström’s speech at an Arab League meeting in Cairo to which she had been invited as an honorary guest.WEB, Saudi Arabia accused of blocking criticism of human rights record,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/09/saudi-arabia-blocks-sweden-foreign-minister-speech-human-rights, The Guardian, 9 March 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20160722045502/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/09/saudi-arabia-blocks-sweden-foreign-minister-speech-human-rights, 22 July 2016, live, Sweden then cancelled its longstanding arms agreement with Saudi Arabia.WEB, Crouch, David, Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Sweden as diplomatic row deepens,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/10/sweden-tears-up-arms-agreement-with-saudi-arabia-over-blocked-speech, The Guardian, 10 March 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20170225020131/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/10/sweden-tears-up-arms-agreement-with-saudi-arabia-over-blocked-speech, 25 February 2017, live, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported in MarchJOURNAL,www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/raif-badawi-auf-wundersame-weise-ueberlebt-a-1025963.html, Saudi-arabischer Blogger Badawi: “Auf wundersame Weise 50 Peitschenhiebe überlebt”, Der Spiegel, 27 March 2015, 15 June 2015, de,www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/raif-badawi-auf-wundersame-weise-ueberlebt-a-1025963.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150614102443www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/raif-badawi-auf-wundersame-weise-ueberlebt-a-1025963.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150614102443www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/raif-badawi-auf-wundersame-weise-ueberlebt-a-1025963.html, 14 June 2015, live, that Badawi had written from prison that he “miraculously survived 50 lashes [...] [while he was] surrounded by a cheering crowd who cried incessantly ‘Allahu Akbar’ (’God is greatest’)”.NEWS,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/11/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-next-lashes-friday, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi may receive second set of lashes on Friday, Jason, Burke, The Guardian, 11 June 2015, theguardian.com, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20161206151815/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/11/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-next-lashes-friday, 6 December 2016, live, Protests and vigils outside Saudi embassies continued.WEB, Raif Badawi, Saudi Arabian Blogger, May Receive Death Sentence Instead of 1,000 Lashes,www.inquisitr.com/1885450/raif-badawi-saudi-arabian-blogger-may-receive-death-sentence-instead-of-1000-lashes/, Inquisitr, 1 March 2015, The news is renewing international outcry, with protests and official condemnations of Raif Badawi’s punishments, as well as social media campaigns., 6 March 2015,www.inquisitr.com/1885450/raif-badawi-saudi-arabian-blogger-may-receive-death-sentence-instead-of-1000-lashes/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150302014014www.inquisitr.com/1885450/raif-badawi-saudi-arabian-blogger-may-receive-death-sentence-instead-of-1000-lashes/,">web.archive.org/web/20150302014014www.inquisitr.com/1885450/raif-badawi-saudi-arabian-blogger-may-receive-death-sentence-instead-of-1000-lashes/, 2 March 2015, live, WEB, 276 candidates for Nobel Peace Prize,www.newsinenglish.no/2015/03/03/276-candidates-for-nobel-peace-prize/, News in English.no, 3 March 2015, Badawi’s punishment has sparked outrage around the world, including ongoing protests outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Oslo., 6 March 2015,www.newsinenglish.no/2015/03/03/276-candidates-for-nobel-peace-prize/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150402183702www.newsinenglish.no/2015/03/03/276-candidates-for-nobel-peace-prize/,">web.archive.org/web/20150402183702www.newsinenglish.no/2015/03/03/276-candidates-for-nobel-peace-prize/, 2 April 2015, live, WEB, Raif Badawi vigils,www.englishpen.org/campaigns/raif-badawi-2/, English PEN, 19 February 2015, 7 March 2015,www.englishpen.org/campaigns/raif-badawi-2/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150228194732www.englishpen.org/campaigns/raif-badawi-2/,">web.archive.org/web/20150228194732www.englishpen.org/campaigns/raif-badawi-2/, 28 February 2015, live, NEWS, Raif Badawi tells of flogging ordeal in letter from Saudi prison,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/27/raif-badawi-tells-of-flogging-ordeal-in-letter-from-saudi-prison, 27 March 2015, Agence France-Presse, The Guardian, 27 March 2015,www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/27/raif-badawi-tells-of-flogging-ordeal-in-letter-from-saudi-prison," title="web.archive.org/web/20150328135408www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/27/raif-badawi-tells-of-flogging-ordeal-in-letter-from-saudi-prison,">web.archive.org/web/20150328135408www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/27/raif-badawi-tells-of-flogging-ordeal-in-letter-from-saudi-prison, 28 March 2015, live, Photo: Protesters outside the Saudi Arabia embassy in London.WEB,www.raifbadawi.org/events.html, Campaign Events, RaifBadawi.org, 10 March 2015, 11 March 2015,www.raifbadawi.org/events.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150321035426www.raifbadawi.org/events.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150321035426www.raifbadawi.org/events.html, 21 March 2015, live, On 6 August 2018, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak, and froze all trade with Ottawa. This came after the Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, expressed concern over the arrest of Samar Badawi, a human rights activist in Saudi Arabia and sister of Raif Badawi, and demanded the release of both Samar and Raif.NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-orders-canadian-envoy-to-leave-over-criticism/2018/08/05/98390ffa-9923-11e8-a8d8-9b4c13286d6b_story.html?noredirect=on, Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador over criticism, The Washington Post, 6 August 2018, 7 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20190123223606/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-orders-canadian-envoy-to-leave-over-criticism/2018/08/05/98390ffa-9923-11e8-a8d8-9b4c13286d6b_story.html?noredirect=on, 23 January 2019, dead, In July 2019, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged Saudi Arabia to free Badawi.WEB, DW, Mike Pence urges Saudi Arabia to free blogger Raif Badawi, 18 July 2019,www.dw.com/en/mike-pence-urges-saudi-arabia-to-free-blogger-raif-badawi/a-49639585,

Renewed threat of flogging in 2015

File:Jimmy Wales calls for Raif Badawi’s freedom.webm|thumb|Pseudopedia co-founder Jimmy WalesJimmy WalesThe Saudi Supreme Court upheld the sentence and there were fears Badawi could be flogged again after Friday prayers on 12 June 2015. The punishment was delayed again, hours before it was due to be inflicted.WEB,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-granted-quebec-immigration-selection-certificate-1.3110623, Quebec opens its doors to imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, 12 June 2015,www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-granted-quebec-immigration-selection-certificate-1.3110623," title="web.archive.org/web/20150613170622www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-granted-quebec-immigration-selection-certificate-1.3110623,">web.archive.org/web/20150613170622www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/raif-badawi-granted-quebec-immigration-selection-certificate-1.3110623, 13 June 2015, live, Badawi’s wife believes he is in poor physical and psychological health, and fears his sentence may be “a slow death”.NEWS,www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-33105945/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-sentence-a-slow-death-says-wife, Saudi blogger’s ‘slow death sentence’, BBC News, 12 June 2015, bbc.co.uk, 21 July 2018,web.archive.org/web/20190123225410/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-33105945/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-sentence-a-slow-death-says-wife, 23 January 2019, live,

Renewed threat of flogging in 2016

The Independent reported in October 2016 that sources close to Badawi’s family feared flogging could restart imminently, at any time during the year. Governments with ties to Saudi Arabia were urged to make representations on Badawi’s behalf.Saudi blogger Raif Badawi faces further round of flogging, supporters say {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020091651www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/18/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-faces-further-flogging |date=20 October 2016 }} The Guardian Ensaf Haidar, Badawi’s wife said, “I was totally shocked by the news. I’m worried and scared that they’ll carrying {{sic}} on whipping him. (...) I’m concerned about Raif’s health, which is not good—either mentally or physically. I really hope that Saudi Arabia will not go ahead and implement the sentence. I would hope that the Saudi authorities strip Raif of his citizenship and then deport him to Canada to be with us.“Saudi blogger Raif Badawi ‘faces new round of lashes’ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123224015www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37703312 |date=23 January 2019 }} BBC Badawi has reportedly been on sustained hunger strike at least twice.WEB,www.dw.com/en/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-to-be-given-more-lashes-in-prison/a-36073554?maca=en-tco-dw, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi to be given more lashes in prison - News - DW - 18.10.2016, DW.COM, 20 October 2016,www.dw.com/en/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-to-be-given-more-lashes-in-prison/a-36073554?maca=en-tco-dw," title="web.archive.org/web/20161021013132www.dw.com/en/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-to-be-given-more-lashes-in-prison/a-36073554?maca=en-tco-dw,">web.archive.org/web/20161021013132www.dw.com/en/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-to-be-given-more-lashes-in-prison/a-36073554?maca=en-tco-dw, 21 October 2016, live, Then Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said “We are trying to have the most accurate information possible, because if this information is true, it would be shameful. Canada completely condemns this type of lashing.“Imprisoned Saudi blogger faces more lashes: supporters {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193441www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-rights-blogger-idUSKCN12I2FT |date=28 September 2017 }} Reuters

Release

On 11 March 2022, his family reported that Badawi was released from prison, but not allowed to leave the country. With the support of the Giordano Bruno Foundation and other organizations, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help Badawi’s family raise funds to cover the fines imposed on him prior to his release.WEB, Solidarity With Raif Badawi and His Family!,www.giordano-bruno-stiftung.de/en/news/solidarity-with-raif-badawi-and-his-family, 2022-03-26, www.giordano-bruno-stiftung.de, 19 March 2022, en,

Personal life

Raif Badawi met his wife, Ensaf Haidar, accidentally when Badawi misdialed Haidar. Haidar called back, under the presumption that it was a call from a job agency offering her a teaching position at a Madrasa. Badawi called back Haidar repeatedly to her anger because of her “lovely voice”, and Haidar repeatedly declined out of fear for family honour. Haidar eventually began to talk to Badawi in secret, prompting one of Haidar’s brothers to steal her phone and Badawi to travel to Jizan, Haidar’s hometown, and give her another phone in secret and a rose.WEB,ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/estrie/2017/bande-dessinee-raif-badawi/?lang=en, Raif Badawi : Dreaming of freedom. A documentary graphic novel., ici.radio-canada.ca, fr, 2018-11-15,web.archive.org/web/20181116043353/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/regions/estrie/2017/bande-dessinee-raif-badawi/?lang=en, 16 November 2018, live, Raif Badawi married Ensaf Haidar in 2002 in Saudi Arabia, with Haidar giving birth in 2003 at the Jeddah Public Hospital to their first child, Najwa bint Raif Badawi, in his absence. In the following year, Haidar gave birth to their son, Doudi “Tirad” bin Raif Badawi, in 2004 in Badawi’s presence; as well as the birth of their second daughter, Miriyam bint Raif Badawi in 2007.NEWS,www.rferl.org/content/sakharov-prize-saudi-blogger-badawi/27333414.html, Jailed, Whipped Saudi Blogger Wins 2015 Sakharov Prize, 29 October 2015, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1 November 2015,www.rferl.org/content/sakharov-prize-saudi-blogger-badawi/27333414.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20151101000826www.rferl.org/content/sakharov-prize-saudi-blogger-badawi/27333414.html,">web.archive.org/web/20151101000826www.rferl.org/content/sakharov-prize-saudi-blogger-badawi/27333414.html, 1 November 2015, live, Badawi and Haidar lived in Jizan with their children until Haidar’s brothers began to harass her and demand her to divorce from Badawi, prompting their move to Jeddah, a more liberal city. He was the founder and head of a women’s education system until he sold it following his dissidence.Badawi’s wife and children were granted political asylum by the Government of Canada in 2013, where they now live.WEB, 2015,www.raifbadawi.org/about-raif-badawi.html, About Raif Badawi, RaifBadawi.org, 14 March 2015,www.raifbadawi.org/about-raif-badawi.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150324084734www.raifbadawi.org/about-raif-badawi.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150324084734www.raifbadawi.org/about-raif-badawi.html, 24 March 2015, live, Badawi is Muslim and has made Umrah with his three children. His wife denied allegations of apostasy and said in a NPR interview that he is a “good Muslim” and promoted a “live and let live philosophy”.WEB,www.npr.org/2016/07/17/486359377/scholars-argue-prosecutions-against-muslim-liberals-don-t-follow-islamic-teachin, Scholars Argue Prosecutions Against Muslim Liberals Don’t Follow Islamic Teachings, NPR.org, 23 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180824034441/https://www.npr.org/2016/07/17/486359377/scholars-argue-prosecutions-against-muslim-liberals-don-t-follow-islamic-teachin, 24 August 2018, live,

Awards, honours and nominations

Awards

• Günter Wallraff Prize for journalism 2019, shared with European Journalism Observatory (EJO).

WEB,en.ejo.ch/ethics-quality/ejo-wins-award-for-contribution-to-european-journalism-culture, Wallraff, 17 June 2019,

• International Laïcité Award 2018, by Comité Laïcité République shared with Ensaf Haidar.

WEB,www.laicite-republique.org/prix-de-la-laicite-2018-ensaf-haidar-le-changement-pacifique-est-possible-dans.html, Remise des Prix de la Laïcité le 6 novembre 2018, laicite, 6 November 2018, 16 November 2018,www.laicite-republique.org/prix-de-la-laicite-2018-ensaf-haidar-le-changement-pacifique-est-possible-dans.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20181116085510www.laicite-republique.org/prix-de-la-laicite-2018-ensaf-haidar-le-changement-pacifique-est-possible-dans.html,">web.archive.org/web/20181116085510www.laicite-republique.org/prix-de-la-laicite-2018-ensaf-haidar-le-changement-pacifique-est-possible-dans.html, 16 November 2018, live,

• Daniel Pearl Award 2018, by Los Angeles Press Club.WEB,lapressclub.org/danielpearlaward_2018, Raif Badawi is the 2018 LA Press Club Daniel Pearl Awardee, LA Press Club, 26 March 2018, 3 August 2018,lapressclub.org/danielpearlaward_2018/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180803135335lapressclub.org/danielpearlaward_2018/,">web.archive.org/web/20180803135335lapressclub.org/danielpearlaward_2018/, 3 August 2018, live,
• Montreal Press Club Freedom Award 2018.WEB,twitter.com/raif_badawi/status/977244931159937024, 2018 Freedom Award, Twitter, 26 April 2018,
• Liberty Victoria “Empty Chair” award 2016.WEB,libertyvictoria.org.au/content/empty-chair-honour-lashed-saudi-blogger-0, An Empty Chair to Honour Lashed Saudi Blogger, libertyvictoria, 23 July 2016, 3 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180803104102/https://libertyvictoria.org.au/content/empty-chair-honour-lashed-saudi-blogger-0, 3 August 2018, live,
• Deschner Prize 2016, by the Giordano Bruno Foundation, shared with Ensaf HaidarWEB, giordano-bruno-stiftung.de,www.giordano-bruno-stiftung.de/meldung/raif-badawi-ensaf-haidar-deschnerpreis, Raif Badawi and Ensaf Haidar receive the Deschner Prize {{!, Gbs |date= 14 March 2016 |access-date= 27 March 2018 |archive-url=web.archive.org/web/20180803133721/https://www.giordano-bruno-stiftung.de/meldung/raif-badawi-ensaf-haidar-deschnerpreis |archive-date= 3 August 2018 |url-status= live }}
• Salam Prize for Peace (Frankfurt) 2016.WEB,www.raifbadawifoundation.org/awards-and-prizes, Awards & Prizes, Raif Badawi Foundation, 26 April 2018, 3 August 2018,www.raifbadawifoundation.org/awards-and-prizes/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180803172610www.raifbadawifoundation.org/awards-and-prizes/,">web.archive.org/web/20180803172610www.raifbadawifoundation.org/awards-and-prizes/, 3 August 2018, live,
• Liberal International Prize for Freedom 2016.WEB,inlw.org/?p=1431, 2016 Prize for Freedom, INLW, 5 December 2016, 18 July 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171012094928/https://inlw.org/?p=1431, 12 October 2017, live,
• Prix Voltaire 2016, from IPA Freedom to Publish committee.WEB,www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/10/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-awarded-freedom-of-speech-prize, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded freedom of speech prize, The Guardian, 10 April 2016, 18 July 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170427131352/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/10/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-awarded-freedom-of-speech-prize, 27 April 2017, live, Prix Voltaire – 2016, internationalpublishers.org. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
• Sakharov Prize 2015, from the European Parliament, for the defence of freedom of thought and human rightsWEB,www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34667260, Saudi blogger Raif Badawi awarded Sakharov human rights prize, BBC News, 29 October 2015, 21 July 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180805055003/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34667260, 5 August 2018, live,
• Swiss Freethinker Prize 2015, shared with Ensaf Haidar and Waleed AbulkhairWEB,www.frei-denken.ch/en/2015/10/ensaf-haidar-raif-badawi-and-waleed-abulkhair-awarded-freethinker-prize-2015/, Ensaf Haidar, Raif Badawi and Waleed Abulkhair awarded Freethinker Prize 2015, Freethinkers Association of Switzerland, 15 October 2015, 27 March 2018,www.frei-denken.ch/en/2015/10/ensaf-haidar-raif-badawi-and-waleed-abulkhair-awarded-freethinker-prize-2015/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160304103332www.frei-denken.ch/en/2015/10/ensaf-haidar-raif-badawi-and-waleed-abulkhair-awarded-freethinker-prize-2015/,">web.archive.org/web/20160304103332www.frei-denken.ch/en/2015/10/ensaf-haidar-raif-badawi-and-waleed-abulkhair-awarded-freethinker-prize-2015/, 4 March 2016, live,
• Sir Karl Popper Prize 2015, from the Österreichischer FreidenkerbundWEB,www.lrwc.org/saudi-arabia-call-for-release-of-imprisoned-human-rights-lawyer-waleed-abu-al-khair-letter/, Saudi Arabia: Call for Release of Imprisoned Human Rights Lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), 27 June 2016, 27 March 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180328102604/https://www.lrwc.org/saudi-arabia-call-for-release-of-imprisoned-human-rights-lawyer-waleed-abu-al-khair-letter/, 28 March 2018, live,
• PEN Pinter Prize 2015, shared with British poet and literary critic James FentonWEB,www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/06/jailed-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-co-winner-pen-pinter-prize/, Jailed Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Co-Winner Pen Pinter Prize, The Guardian, 5 October 2015, 12 December 2016,web.archive.org/web/20161017085020/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/oct/06/jailed-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-co-winner-pen-pinter-prize, 17 October 2016, live,
• Strasbourg Award Medal of Honor 2015WEB,www.dna.fr/actualite/2015/06/09/roland-ries-prend-la-defense-du-blogueur, Roland Ries prend la défense du blogueur Raif Badawi, dna.fr, 4 May 2015, 13 June 2015,www.dna.fr/actualite/2015/06/09/roland-ries-prend-la-defense-du-blogueur," title="web.archive.org/web/20150614171154www.dna.fr/actualite/2015/06/09/roland-ries-prend-la-defense-du-blogueur,">web.archive.org/web/20150614171154www.dna.fr/actualite/2015/06/09/roland-ries-prend-la-defense-du-blogueur, 14 June 2015, live,
• Franco-German Journalism Prize 2015WEB,www.raifbadawi.org/news/raif-badawi-news/item/552-raif-to-be-awarded-the-german-franco-journalism-prize-2015.html, the franco German Award, raifbadawi.org, 4 May 2015, 5 June 2015,www.raifbadawi.org/news/raif-badawi-news/item/552-raif-to-be-awarded-the-german-franco-journalism-prize-2015.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160304085640www.raifbadawi.org/news/raif-badawi-news/item/552-raif-to-be-awarded-the-german-franco-journalism-prize-2015.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160304085640www.raifbadawi.org/news/raif-badawi-news/item/552-raif-to-be-awarded-the-german-franco-journalism-prize-2015.html, 4 March 2016, live,
• Thomas Dehler medal, from the Free Democratic Party, Germany
• Press Freedom Prize 2015, from Reporters Without Borders, SwedenWEB,www.reportrarutangranser.se/nyheter/20150502/swedish-reporters-without-borders-awards-saudi-blogger-press-freedom-prize, Swedish Reporters Without Borders Awards Saudi Blogger Press Freedom Prize, Reportrar Utan Gränser, 3 May 2015, 27 March 2018,www.reportrarutangranser.se/nyheter/20150502/swedish-reporters-without-borders-awards-saudi-blogger-press-freedom-prize," title="web.archive.org/web/20150605155306www.reportrarutangranser.se/nyheter/20150502/swedish-reporters-without-borders-awards-saudi-blogger-press-freedom-prize,">web.archive.org/web/20150605155306www.reportrarutangranser.se/nyheter/20150502/swedish-reporters-without-borders-awards-saudi-blogger-press-freedom-prize, 5 June 2015, live,
• Freedom of Speech Award 2015, from Deutsche WelleWEB,www.dw.de/dw-freedom-of-speech-award-for-raif-badawi/a-18277222, DW Freedom of Speech Award for Raif Badawi, DW, 25 February 2015, 26 February 2015,www.dw.de/dw-freedom-of-speech-award-for-raif-badawi/a-18277222," title="web.archive.org/web/20150226182323www.dw.de/dw-freedom-of-speech-award-for-raif-badawi/a-18277222,">web.archive.org/web/20150226182323www.dw.de/dw-freedom-of-speech-award-for-raif-badawi/a-18277222, 26 February 2015, live,
• Courage Award 2015, from the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and DemocracyWEB,www.genevasummit.org/press/176/20_rights_groups_to_bestow_courage_award_upon_saudi_blogger_at_geneva_summit_, 20 rights groups to bestow courage award upon Saudi blogger at Geneva Summit, Geneva Summit, 17 February 2015, 19 February 2015,www.genevasummit.org/press/176/20_rights_groups_to_bestow_courage_award_upon_saudi_blogger_at_geneva_summit_," title="web.archive.org/web/20150219064345www.genevasummit.org/press/176/20_rights_groups_to_bestow_courage_award_upon_saudi_blogger_at_geneva_summit_,">web.archive.org/web/20150219064345www.genevasummit.org/press/176/20_rights_groups_to_bestow_courage_award_upon_saudi_blogger_at_geneva_summit_, 19 February 2015, live,
• Aikenhead Award 2015, from the Scottish Secular SocietyWEB,www.scottishsecularsociety.com/scottish-secular-society-presenting-raif-badawi-with-annual-aikenhead-award, Scottish Secular Society Presents Raif Badawi with Annual Aikenhead Award, Scottish Secular Society, 3 January 2015, 7 January 2015,www.scottishsecularsociety.com/scottish-secular-society-presenting-raif-badawi-with-annual-aikenhead-award/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150107184157www.scottishsecularsociety.com/scottish-secular-society-presenting-raif-badawi-with-annual-aikenhead-award/,">web.archive.org/web/20150107184157www.scottishsecularsociety.com/scottish-secular-society-presenting-raif-badawi-with-annual-aikenhead-award/, 7 January 2015, live,
• One Humanity Award 2014, from PEN CanadaWEB,pencanada.ca/news/raif-badawi-one-humanity-award, PenCanada, Jailed Saudi blogger receives PEN Canada’s One Humanity Award, 21 October 2014, 28 November 2014,pencanada.ca/news/raif-badawi-one-humanity-award/," title="web.archive.org/web/20141123222402pencanada.ca/news/raif-badawi-one-humanity-award/,">web.archive.org/web/20141123222402pencanada.ca/news/raif-badawi-one-humanity-award/, 23 November 2014, live,
• Netizen Prize 2014, from Reporters without Borders.WEB,en.rsf.org/maghreb-et-moyen-orient-reporters-without-borders-tv5monde-05-11-2014,47204.html, Reporters Without Borders: TV5Monde Prize for Press Freedom, Reporters Without Borders, 5 November 2014, 28 November 2014,en.rsf.org/maghreb-et-moyen-orient-reporters-without-borders-tv5monde-05-11-2014,47204.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20141203193414en.rsf.org/maghreb-et-moyen-orient-reporters-without-borders-tv5monde-05-11-2014,47204.html,">web.archive.org/web/20141203193414en.rsf.org/maghreb-et-moyen-orient-reporters-without-borders-tv5monde-05-11-2014,47204.html, 3 December 2014, live,

Honorifics

• The honorary membership 2019, by Cambridge Union shared with Ensaf Haidar.WEB,twitter.com/miss9afi/status/1153749168927776771, Remise des Prix de la Laïcité le 6 novembre 2018, Twitter, July 2019,
• Honorary Doctorate, from Université de SherbrookeWEB,www.usherbrooke.ca/a-propos/direction-et-gouvernance/allocutions/2017/remise-dun-doctorat-dhonneur-a-raif-badawi, Address by Professor Pierre Cossette, Rector of the Université de Sherbrooke, on the occasion of the presentation of a doctorate of honor to Raïf Badawi, Université de Sherbrooke, 8 June 2017, 3 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180803134751/https://www.usherbrooke.ca/a-propos/direction-et-gouvernance/allocutions/2017/remise-dun-doctorat-dhonneur-a-raif-badawi/, 3 August 2018, live,
• Honorary citizenship MontrealWEB,www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-montreal-set-to-debate-naming-jailed-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-an, Montreal grants honorary citizenship to Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, The Globe And Mail, 28 May 2018, 3 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180529185825/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-montreal-set-to-debate-naming-jailed-saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-an/, 29 May 2018, live,
• Université de Sherbrooke university honored him by giving the master’s program in law and int’l politics 2017–18 “DIPIA” his name.WEB,www.usherbrooke.ca/actualites/nouvelles/facultes/droit/droit-details/article/35476, The 2017–18 DIPIA cohort takes the name of Raif Badawi, Université de Sherbrooke, 13 September 2017, 3 August 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180803134204/https://www.usherbrooke.ca/actualites/nouvelles/facultes/droit/droit-details/article/35476/, 3 August 2018, live,
• One of the Leading Global Thinkers of 2015, By Foreign Policy.WEB,2015globalthinkers.foreignpolicy.com/!chroniclers/detail/badawi, Global Thinkers, Foreign Policy, 2 December 2015, 4 December 2015,2015globalthinkers.foreignpolicy.com/!chroniclers/detail/badawi," title="web.archive.org/web/201512032046002015globalthinkers.foreignpolicy.com/!chroniclers/detail/badawi,">web.archive.org/web/201512032046002015globalthinkers.foreignpolicy.com/!chroniclers/detail/badawi, 3 December 2015, live,
• One of the Boss List 2015, By AskMen.

WEB,uk.askmen.com/specials/2015_top_49/the-boss-list-2015/30-raif-badawi-the-boss-list-2015-edition.html, AskMen, AskMenUk, 2 December 2015, 4 December 2015,uk.askmen.com/specials/2015_top_49/the-boss-list-2015/30-raif-badawi-the-boss-list-2015-edition.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20151208095929uk.askmen.com/specials/2015_top_49/the-boss-list-2015/30-raif-badawi-the-boss-list-2015-edition.html,">web.archive.org/web/20151208095929uk.askmen.com/specials/2015_top_49/the-boss-list-2015/30-raif-badawi-the-boss-list-2015-edition.html, 8 December 2015, live,

• Honorary citizenship, Sherbrooke, QuebecWEB,sherbrookeblogue.ca/communications/sherbrooke-terre-daccueil-pour-raif-badawi/, Sherbrooke, terre d’accueil pour Raif Badawi, Université de Sherbrooke, 10 July 2015, 12 July 2015,sherbrookeblogue.ca/communications/sherbrooke-terre-daccueil-pour-raif-badawi/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160304095734sherbrookeblogue.ca/communications/sherbrooke-terre-daccueil-pour-raif-badawi/,">web.archive.org/web/20160304095734sherbrookeblogue.ca/communications/sherbrooke-terre-daccueil-pour-raif-badawi/, 4 March 2016, live,
• Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression, bestowed by Brussels University Alliance (VUB and ULB), 2015.WEB,my.vub.ac.be/nieuws/2015/04/20/difference-day, the honorary title, VUB, 3 May 2015, 3 May 2015,web.archive.org/web/20151208142804/https://my.vub.ac.be/nieuws/2015/04/20/difference-day, 8 December 2015, live,
• Honorary membership, PEN Canada.
• Honorary membership, PEN Denmark.
• Honorary membership, PEN Germany.
• Man of the Year 2015, By The Fifth Column.WEB,thefifthcolumnnews.com/2015/12/man-of-the-year-2015-raif-badawi/, Man of the Year, The Fifth Column, 1 December 2015, 4 December 2015,thefifthcolumnnews.com/2015/12/man-of-the-year-2015-raif-badawi/," title="web.archive.org/web/20151203125249thefifthcolumnnews.com/2015/12/man-of-the-year-2015-raif-badawi/,">web.archive.org/web/20151203125249thefifthcolumnnews.com/2015/12/man-of-the-year-2015-raif-badawi/, 3 December 2015, live,
• The honorary membership 2017, by Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec.WEB,www.journaldemontreal.com/2017/11/19/raif-badawi-recoit-une-carte-de-presse-honoraire-au-gala-de-la-fpjq, Remise des Prix de la Laïcité le 6 novembre 2018, Twitter, July 2017,

Nominations

• Nobel Peace Prize, 2015WEB,www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/02/150847/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-2015/, Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2015, Morocco World News, 2 February 2015, 3 February 2015,www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/02/150847/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-2015/," title="web.archive.org/web/20151222114647www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/02/150847/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-2015/,">web.archive.org/web/20151222114647www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/02/150847/saudi-blogger-raif-badawi-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-2015/, 22 December 2015, live,
• Nobel Peace Prize, 2016WEB,karinandersen.no/fredsprisen-til-raif-badaxi-og-waleed-al-kahir/, Fredsprisen til Raif Badawi og Waleed al-Kahir, 14 April 2016,karinandersen.no/fredsprisen-til-raif-badaxi-og-waleed-al-kahir/," title="web.archive.org/web/20160424232852karinandersen.no/fredsprisen-til-raif-badaxi-og-waleed-al-kahir/,">web.archive.org/web/20160424232852karinandersen.no/fredsprisen-til-raif-badaxi-og-waleed-al-kahir/, 24 April 2016, live,
• 2014 Freedom Award, from Spain’s Individual Freedom Party (P-LIB)WEB,www.p-lib.es/derechos-y-libertades/por-la-liberacion-de-raif-badawi, The P-LIB presents the application of Liberal Arabia Freedom Award 2014, P-LIB, 29 August 2013, 28 November 2014,www.p-lib.es/derechos-y-libertades/por-la-liberacion-de-raif-badawi/," title="web.archive.org/web/20141208013149www.p-lib.es/derechos-y-libertades/por-la-liberacion-de-raif-badawi/,">web.archive.org/web/20141208013149www.p-lib.es/derechos-y-libertades/por-la-liberacion-de-raif-badawi/, 8 December 2014, live, {{in lang|es}}
• Freedom to Publish Prize 2014, from the International Publishers Association.

Books

• Badawi, Raif; Schreiber, Constantin, editor; Hetzl, Sandra, translator, 1000 Peitschenhiebe : weil ich sage, was ich denke [1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think]. Ullstein, Berlin 2015, {{ISBN|978-3-550-08120-0}} (germ.)BOOK, 1000 Peitschenhiebe: Weil ich sage, was ich denke, {{ASIN, 3550081200, de, }} {{in lang|de}}
• Badawi, Raif; Schreiber, Constantin, editor; Ahmad Danny Ramadan, translator, 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think. Vancouver 2015, {{ISBN|978-1771642095}} (Canada)BOOK, 1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think, 978-1771642095, Badawi, Raif, 2015, Greystone Books, {{in lang|en}}

See also

• Human rights in Saudi Arabia
• Legal system of Saudi Arabia
• {{section link|Religion in Saudi Arabia|Irreligion}}, Irreligion in Saudi Arabia

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category-inline}}

• {{Official websitewww.raifbadawi.org}}

{{Sakharov Prize}}{{Authority control}}