Allow Us to Take Lashes for Raif Badawi
Allow Us to Take Lashes for Raif Badawi
Saudi Blogger, Raif Badawi, has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and ten years in prison for the crime of blogging in support of tolerance and freedom of conscience in Saudi Arabia. Raif has already endured the first 50 lashes, and he is sentenced to endure 50 lashes per week until all 1,000 have been meted out.
Seven Religious Freedom activists, in a gesture of deep solidarity with Raif, wrote the Saudi government offering to share his punishment by taking lashes in his stead. In their words, "If your government will not remit the punishment of Raif Badawi, we respectfully ask that you permit each of us to take 100 of the lashes that would be given to him. We would rather share in his victimization than stand by and watch him being cruelly tortured.”
Since word of their offer has been publicized these human rights activists have been contacted by many sincere, humble, and brave individuals who have said they also want to volunteer to take the flogging in Raif’s place. Some have offered to bear 100 lashes, some 50, and some 10. While they are prepared to make this personal sacrifice, they are all united in the belief that no human being should ever be flogged anywhere in the world.
You are invited to join the seven signatories of the letter in committing to take a portion of Raif’s punishment in his stead. While it is unlikely that anyone will be allowed to share his punishment, we ask you to sign this petition only if you are prepared to actually take lashes in Raif’s place.
#TakeLashes4Raif
PLEASE SHARE THIS PETITION! Use #TakeLashes4Raif on Twitter and tell your Facebook friends that you've signed on!
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UPDATE - Recent News:
"A Dramatic Challenge to Saudi Government" - The Boston Globe
"Are You as Brave as Katrina Lantos Swett?" - The Union Leader