Raif Badawi

Raif Badawi - a Saudi Arabian poet and activist, was released from prison on Friday, 11 March 2022. He served a 10-year sentence for advocating an end to religious influence on public life. The conditions of his release - and the possible 10-year travel ban - are unclear at this point.

Thanks to you and other Amnesty activists, over a million messages were sent from around the world in support of Raif.

But while we celebrate this step forward for Raif, many other activists, writers and lawyers remain imprisoned. We will not stop fighting for the release of all those unfairly imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and around the world.

My family’s torture – dealing with Raif Badawi’s flogging

"The day Raif was sent to prison I decided that I had two choices: to be weak, give up and hide in a corner weeping, or to stay strong and fight for Raif’s freedom."

Ensaf Haidar says she still shocked by the severity of her husband's sentence. She writes about how she keeps hope, despite the nightmare of his sentence.

Free speech

Free speech is the right to say whatever you like about whatever you like, whenever you like, right? Wrong.

Free speech is one of our most important rights and one of the most misunderstood. Use your free speech to speak out for those that are denied theirs.

Raif Badawi: Five years a prisoner

Five years on, and Raif Badawi is still in prison in Saudi Arabia for setting up a website focused on social and political debate. We will not rest until he, and all prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia, are released.

One year since Raif was flogged, call for his freedom

In the year since Raif Badawi was flogged, Saudi Arabian authorities have continued their intense crackdown on free speech.

Raif is one of many people behind bars simply for exercising their human rights in the Kingdom. We continue to campaign for freedom for Raif and all imprisoned for speaking out.

Four reasons the UK needs a New Year’s resolution on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia executed 47 people last week, yet the UK government continues to put business before human rights - refusing to criticise its trade ally.

From prison contracts to arms sales, its clear where our government's priorities are with Saudi Arabia.

My husband, in prison for supporting human rights in Saudi Arabia

"He has always been my rock whenever I felt weak, he was my strength and my source of motivation and inspiration..."

Samar Badawi's husband is serving a 15-year prison sentence simply for standing up for human rights in Saudi Arabia. Samar continues to hope for his release.

The UK is trading away its credibility in its relations with Saudi Arabia and China

Shady deals and blanket silence speak volumes about the UK's attitude towards the importance of human rights when it comes to talking business with the likes of Saudi Arabia and China.

Raif Badawi, Saudi Arabia's political football

The UK is the first foreign country to host one of Saudi Arabia's biggest football tournaments. It seems like our cosy business relationship with Saudi Arabian once again comes before human rights concerns...

Has the UK forgotten about Raif Badawi and all the other prisoners of conscience?

This could be Raif’s chance – ask for his freedom

Raif Badawi has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for more than 3 years now.

The end of the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr festival is traditionally a time when some prisoners are released. Ask the King of Saudi Arabia to free Raif and all prisoners of conscience.

This Father’s Day, send a message of support to Raif Badawi and his family

It's been three years since Raif Badawi's children last saw their dad - and if the Saudi Arabian authorities have their way, it will be 19 years before they are reunited.

Raif’s lashes could resume tomorrow – we need your urgent help

We are concerned that Raif Badawi, the imprisoned Saudi Arabian blogger, will be flogged tomorrow morning.

Raif's sentence was upheld and confirmed by courts earlier this week, and we fear authorities will immediately resume punishing him with 50 lashes in public every Friday. Ask the Saudi Arabian Embassy to stop the flogging.

Ten ways that Saudi Arabia violates human rights

Saudi Arabia makes headlines hosting glittering events, securing famous footballers and for innventive ideas such as the notorious 'The Line' city concept.

But the reality for people living in Saudi Arabia, is one where their basic human rights are ignored, their freedoms are restricted and punishment is severe.

50 days since 50 lashes - why won't Saudi Arabia release Raif Badawi?

What has become of the Saudi Arabian blogger?

50 days after his public flogging, we look at how Raif's case has become known around the world - and yet Saudi Arabia still refuses to release him. Meanwhile, our own government shames itself by not publicly calling for Raif's freedom.

Who's commemorating the victims of King Abdullah's regime?

World leaders have been quick to express their condolences for the late King of Saudi Arabia, heralding him as a great reformer and champion of rights.

Will no one speak up for the many victims of his regime who continue to languish in jail simply for driving a car, saying what they think, or challenging the regime's political rhetoric?

Why aren't UK ministers manning the free speech barricades for Raif Badawi?

The UK government seems to consider itself a staunch defender of free speech. And while government ministers have been quick to condemn the attacks on Charlie Hebdo staff in Paris, they have refused to call on Saudi Arabia to release blogger Raif Badawi, imprisoned and flogged for advocating free speech and debate.