Saudi Arabia: Arbitrarily imprisoned human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair has been chosen as one of the recipients of the 2016 Law Society of Upper Canada Human Rights Award, a biennial award given to recognize outstanding contributions and devotion to the advancement of human rights and/or the promotion of the rule of law. Waleed Abu al-Khair is currently serving a 15 year prison sentence for representing clients and causes unpopular with Saudi Arabia and peacefully advocating for recognition of internationally protected rights. The nomination was submitted by LRWC and the Union Internationale des Avocats, endorsed by the Law Society of England and Wales and supported by letters from Alex Neve of Amnesty International/Canada and Adam Coogle of Human Rights Watch, Middle East and North Africa Division.
Read LRWC’s nomination letter here.
