“Raif would be very happy to see the extent to which his fight is shared by so many people in the world, and this award is further evidence of that”, Haidar said Thursday.
Advertisement
He was re-sentenced to 1,000 lashes, ten years in prison and fined almost $300,000 in 2014.
Raif Badawi is now imprisoned for insulting clerics in Saudi Arabia.
The award was also hailed by the worldwide Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) which said he had played a major role in promoting freedom of expression and attempting to foster public debate in Saudi Arabia.
“Relations depend on human rights being respected by our partners… they are not only not being respected but are being trod underfoot”, he said.
This strong gesture by the European Parliament sheds light on the weaknesses and inconsistencies of European diplomacies concerning human rights in Saudi Arabia. The 31-year-old blogger, who was arrested in 2012, is an outspoken advocate of free speech whose vicious public flogging in January, when he was subjected to a first round of 50 lashes, triggered an global backlash.
Haidar is imploring Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau to take up her husband’s case, as he has in the past.
Mr. Badawi was an active member of a growing online movement of Saudi liberals challenging the religious establishment by openly discussing issues like separation of religious institutions and the state.
“I would like him to help, yes”, said Haidar, adding what she’d like is Canada to send Badawi a passport.
Citing a source from the Saudi authorities, Haidar said: “It is worth mentioning that the same source had warned me of Raif’s pending flogging at the beginning of January 2015 and his warning was confirmed, as Raif was flogged on 9th January”.
In June, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court upheld the verdict despite a foreign outcry.
She said she looks forward to learning how to drive so that she can personally go to the airport one day to pick up her husband after he is released.
Badawi’s wife and children have fled to Canada because of death threats.
Advertisement
The other finalists for this year’s prize had been assassinated Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and the democratic opposition in Venezuela. Past year the prize was awarded to Denis Mukwege.
