The Raïf Badawi case: Lawyers Without Borders unveils the written argument sent to Saudi Arabia and calls on Canada and the international community to demand his release

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 3, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Lawyers Without Borders Canada (LWBC) unveiled today the written argument in support of the release of Raïf Badawi. This written argument was sent on August 15 last to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Canada and to the Saudi Minister of Justice. No response has been forthcoming.

The factum was also communicated to various international and regional human rights institutions:, the President of the United Nations Committee against Torture, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Arab Human Rights Committee and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The factum was prepared with the collaboration of the Quebec Bar, the Lavery law firm and recognized experts in the areas of human rights and Islamic law.

"The legal work carried out by LWBC and its partners reveals that Saudi Arabia violated the rights of Mr. Badawi, as well as its national and international obligations in three specific areas: the right to a fair trial, the right to liberty of expression and opinion and the absolute ban on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." commented Mr. Pascal Paradis, Executive Director of LWBC.

Mr. Badawi, who received on October 29 last the Sakharov Prize for liberty of expression awarded by the European Parliament, is still imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. "LWBC hopes that this argument will constitute an additional contribution towards Canada and the international community urging Saudi Arabia to comply with its obligations – both under Saudi and International law – by releasing Raïf Badawi forthwith and allowing him to reunite with his family in Canada." concluded Mr. Paradis.

The French version of the written argument has been translated in Arabic and English. The various versions are available here:

Argument in French 
Argument in English 
Argument in Arabic

About Lawyers Without Borders Canada

About LWBC: Lawyers Without Borders Canada (LWBC) is an international non‑governmental organization whose mission is to help defend the human rights of the most vulnerable by promoting access to justice and legal representation.

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SOURCE Lawyers Without Borders Canada

Camille Gagné-Raynauld, Programs, Logistics and Communications agent, [phone] ext. 107, [phone] cellular phone