U.S. Calls on Saudi Authorities to Cancel Brutal Punishment of Human Rights Activist Raif Badawi
Statement on the Sentence of Saudi Human Rights Activist Raif Badawi
Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 8, 2015
We are greatly concerned by reports that human rights activist Raif Badawi will start facing the inhumane punishment of a 1,000 lashes, in addition to serving a 10-year sentence in prison for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and religion. The United States Government calls on Saudi authorities to cancel this brutal punishment and to review Badawi’s case and sentence. The United States strongly opposes laws, including apostasy laws, that restrict the exercise of these freedoms, and urges all countries to uphold these rights in practice.