EU calls on Saudi officials to stop lashing blogger
The European Union (EU) has officially protested the Saudi Supreme Court's endorsement of a controversial lashing sentence for a blogger, saying it runs counter to human dignity.
The EU's diplomatic service issued a statement Monday, calling on Riyadh to stop lashing blogger Raif Badawi after the court declared the ruling as “final.”
Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was handed 1,000 lashes for insulting Wahhabi clerics in a blog he co-founded years ago.
The blogger, who was arrested in 2012, received 50 of his lashes in front of a mosque in the Red Sea city of Jaddah in January. Further flogging has been delayed allegedly due to Badawi’s medical problems, although some say the kingdom fears a huge international backlash if it continues implementing the verdict.
The EU said, however, that it will make “every effort” to convince officials in Riyadh that they should respect freedom of speech.
“Corporal punishment is unacceptable and contrary to human dignity,” the EU said, adding, “We reiterate our call to Saudi authorities to suspend any further corporal punishment for Mr Badawi.”
The EU’s call came after Ensaf Haidar, wife of Badawi, urged international organizations to speed up efforts aimed at releasing his husband, which she said, has become more difficult after Saudi Supreme Court upheld the ruling.
The sentence handed down to the Badawi has already sparked international criticism, although Saudi officials reject all the censure as interference in the kingdom’s internal affairs. However, many hope a royal pardon could save the 31-year-old from the harsh sentence.
Badawi has also been sentenced to a cash fine of USD 266,000, a 10-year ban on overseas travel, and a 10-year ban from participating in visual, electronic and written media.
Riyadh has been scathingly criticized by international human rights organizations for implementing repressive policies that stifle freedom of expression, association and assembly.
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