PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
ONGOING IMPRISONMENT OF RAIF BADAWI (20 June 2017)

That this House recognises the unjust arrest of Raif Badawi on 17 June 2014 and his subsequent imprisonment in Saudi Arabia for championing free speech and freedom of expression; notes that he is now beginning his 5th year of a 10-year prison sentence; further notes that Mr Badawi is also facing a 10-year travel ban and a 10-year ban from participating in visual, electronic and written media after his release; further recognises the wrongful arrest and imprisonment of Mr Badawi's lawyer, Waleed Abu aI-Khair, who is also serving a 15-year sentence for his human rights activism; is concerned at the punishment and inhumane treatment that Mr Badawi and Mr Abu aI-Khair have been subjected to; continues to strongly support his right to freedom of expression and that of all Saudi Arabian citizens; calls on the Government to press King Salman bin Abdulaziz to release Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu aI-Khair from prison so that they may be reunited with their families; and urges the Government to challenge and condemn Saudi Arabia's concerning record on press freedom.

Sponsored by:
Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Scottish National Party)