Those fiends
Terrible awful horrifying news from Ensaf Haidar:
I was informed by an informed source, that the Saudi authorities have given the green light to the resumption of Raif Badawi’s flogging. The informed source also said that the flogging will resume soon but will be administered inside the prison.
It is worth mentioning that the same source had warned me of Raif’s pending flogging at the beginning of January 2015 and his warning was confirmed, as Raif was flogged on 9th January.
While I do not understand this decision especially as Raif’s case is still being reviewed by the supreme court according to a senior source in the Saudi Ministry of Justice and according to the statement of UK Foreign Office minister, Tobias Ellwood, who told the House of Commons in July that my husband’s case was still being examined by Saudi judges.
I call on his Majesty King Salman to gracefully end my husband’s ordeal and to pardon him. I also appeal to his Majesty to allow him to be deported to Canada to be reunited with his family and children, who have been deprived of their father for more than four years.
I take this opportunity to remind Mr. Justin Trudeau, the new Canadian Prime Minister, of his promise to support Raif badawi and ensure his release. I plead with him to give Raif a White Passport to enable him to be reunited with his family in Canada.
God damn it.
With this awful news, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides yet another example of their commitment to human rights (because, of course, True human rights are defined by Sharia law, and have very little to do with the actual rights of actual humans).
Grasping at a few little glimmers of hope: The fact that they want to administer the flogging inside the prison (instead of in public) might be an indication that the Saudis actually are concerned about public opinion on this. (Though the downside of the secrecy is worrisome.) And our new Canadian PM elect does seem to be interested and aware of the situation – it would be great if he had the will and power to get Raif deported to Canada. (Perhaps there is a diplomatic genius somewhere who can figure out a way for the Saudis to eject Raif without losing face.)
What’s not to understand? This is the Saudis we’re talking about. A clan of midieaval gangsters, with unlimited funding from oil-drunk Westerners, and their own private cult controlling a major world religion.
The Saudi’s ‘face’ cannot be preserved or redeemed. Their princelings are exposed as drug-dealers, rapists, enslavers. Their claims to any sort of honor, or respect, are beyond hollow.
Let me be perfectly clear: I have *zero* respect for the Saudi leadership, and think that people in other governments who pander to them for the sake of arms sales and/or oil purchases are despicable.
However, I want to see Raif in Sherbrooke with Ensaf and their kids. That’s only going to happen if the Saudis think that it’s somehow in their best interests to do that.
I can think of one: get some respected Muslim cleric or theologian to urge the Saudis to remember that Allah is merciful: the Saudis don’t want Raif, and Ensaf and their children do, and Canada does. Be merciful and just expel him.
Pardons are a thing. They could pardon a bunch of people and include Raif in the bunch, while still “punishing” him with expulsion. Problem solved. Face saved.
I dunno – I suspect Allah’s definition of “mercy” is probably a lot like the Saudis’ definition of “human rights”
Note for anyone in the vicinity of Ottawa (Canada):
Amnesty International is organizing a protest for Monday, November 2, gathering at the Saudi Embassy from 11:00-11:30 am, then walking from the embassy to the Prime Minister’s office.
More information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amnestycanada or Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/CFI-ottawa/events/226383576/
https://www.facebook.com/144310995587370/photos/a.271728576178944.71555.144310995587370/1067978623220598/?l=8facafbed9