Raif Badawi, 2012
Raif Badawi released after 10 years of arbitrary detention but he remains subject to 10-year travel ban
Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada welcomes the 11 March 2022 release of blogger and human rights defender Mr. Raif Badawi, now 38, after serving a ten-year prison sentence. He was also sentenced to 1,000 lashes. In January 20115, he was subjected to 50 lashes in a public square but subsequent floggings were postponed on numerous occasions due to health concerns. Mr. Badawi’s ten-year sentence officially ended on 1 March 2022. He remains subject to a 10-year travel ban, which precludes him from joining his wife and children who live in Canada. Mr. Badawi’s sister, women’s rights defender Ms. Samar Badawi, was also imprisoned from July 2018 to 27 June 2021.
