Canadians in Action for Release of Blogger Raif Badawi from Saudi Prison

You may have recently read about the blogger Raif Badawi who was imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for criticizing Saudi Arabian clerics. It caught the media's attention because he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashings.

Yes, you read that right. 10 years and 1,000 lashings - 50 of which have already been administered.

In positive union, the Quebec Bar and Lawyers Without Borders Canada recently announced that they would join forces to have blogger Raif Badawi released from jail.

Mr. Badawi's wife and three children live in Sherbrooke, Quebec. However, given that he is not a Canadian citizen, the federal government has not become involved.

If you are moved to help, please see the Amnesty International Canada website to show your support by signing the petition.

- Rachel Spence, Law Clerk

Visit our Toronto Law Office website: www.wiselaw.net

Irshad Manji's Blog

I mentioned Irshad Manji in the post below, but want to point out two excellent posts she has penned at her blog, Rejoice at Saudi rape decision? Pardon me? and Aqsa Parvez: Covering up the diversity of Muslim women.

They are must reads.

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto

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EMPLOYMENT LAW • CIVIL LITIGATION • WILLS AND ESTATES • FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE

Hillary Clinton Condemns Saudi Gang Rape Sentence

According to BBC News, a 19-year-old Saudi woman, who is the victim of a gang rape, has had her sentence increased to 200 lashes and a six-month prison term.

The woman was travelling in a car with a male friend last year, when the car was attacked by a gang of seven men who raped both of them.

The rape victim was punished for violating Saudi Arabia's laws on segregation that forbid unrelated men and women from associating with each other. She was initially sentenced to 90 lashes for being in the car of a strange man. On appeal, the punishment was not reduced but increased to 200 lashes and a six-month prison sentence.

Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the US presidential elections, has condemned the sentence and urged President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against the woman. She said “As president I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world.”

- Shashi K. Raina, Toronto

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EMPLOYMENT LAW • CIVIL LITIGATION • WILLS AND ESTATES • FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE