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Enough Already: It is Time to Free Raif Badawi

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 15, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

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Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I speak today for Raif Badawi, a Saudi Arabian human rights blogger unjustly imprisoned since 2012 for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

His supposed crime?

Criticizing Islam and the religious police.

His sentence?

Ten years in prison, 1,000 lashes, and a huge fine.

Monday, January 13, was Raif's 36th birthday--the eighth he spent in prison away from his wife and three children.

January 9 was the fifth anniversary of the day that Raif endured the first 50 of those 1,000 lashes. That the flogging has not continued is a small mercy, but the prolonged imprisonment and harsh conditions is taking a terrible physical and mental toll.

The Saudi authorities must end this egregious injustice.

Madam Speaker, I again demand the immediate and unconditional release of prisoner of conscience, Raif Badawi.

I renew my call for a halt to all weapons sales and military aid until the Saudi regime cleans up its human rights record which is appalling.

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