[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ENOUGH ALREADY: IT IS TIME TO FREE RAIF BADAWI

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I speak today for Raif Badawi, a Saudi 
Arabian human rights blogger unjustly imprisoned since 2012 for 
exercising his right to freedom of expression.
  His supposed crime?
  Criticizing Islam and the religious police.
  His sentence?
  Ten years in prison, 1,000 lashes, and a huge fine.
  Monday, January 13, was Raif's 36th birthday--the eighth he spent in 
prison away from his wife and three children.
  January 9 was the fifth anniversary of the day that Raif endured the 
first 50 of those 1,000 lashes. That the flogging has not continued is 
a small mercy, but the prolonged imprisonment and harsh conditions is 
taking a terrible physical and mental toll.
  The Saudi authorities must end this egregious injustice.
  Madam Speaker, I again demand the immediate and unconditional release 
of prisoner of conscience, Raif Badawi.
  I renew my call for a halt to all weapons sales and military aid 
until the Saudi regime cleans up its human rights record which is 
appalling.

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