Defending Freedoms Project: Raif Badawi

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, June 17 marks the fourth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi. He is a prisoner of conscience who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for his writings.

These days, Raif is not doing well. Recently, he resorted to a hunger strike to protest his lack of access to medical care, which, thankfully, he is receiving now, but his family remains extremely concerned for his health.

During the holy month of Ramadan, King Salman pardoned many prisoners. His Majesty should also pardon Raif and Raif's former lawyer, Waleed Abulkhair, a human rights advocate who is serving a 15- year sentence for crimes such as a lack of respect for authorities and creating an NGO without permission.

It is ridiculous. I understand that Saudi Arabia is an ally, Mr. Speaker, but the United States must not be silent while these men sit in prison. Saudi Arabia will not achieve security or stability by repressing peaceful dissent.

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