DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

May 2nd is Around the World Embassy Day and the Saudi Embassy will open it’s doors to promote Saudi culture. We want to make sure that visitors get a thorough understanding of human rights abuses committed by the Saudi government.

We are bringing these messages to Saudi officials & embassy visitors. We have a few demands:

1) STOP BOMBING CIVILIANS IN YEMEN

2) FREE RAIF BADAWI NOW

3) RELEASE WALEED ABU Al-KHAIR IMMEDIATELY

A coalition of armed forces led by Saudi Arabia began bombing Yemen in March. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Saudi Arabian-led coalition is turning a blind eye to civilian deaths and suffering caused by its military intervention. 

Women and children have died. We condemn these attacks. Saudi Arabia must stop airstrikes that lead to fatal civilian casualties NOW.
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Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in Saudi prison, 1,000 lashes, and a subsequent 10 year travel ban for voicing his personal political opinions on a blog he created. Raif has not received lashes since the first 10 were given, but this is not enough. The whole sentence is a violation of Raif’s human rights and freedom of speech. Raif must be released immediately.

Blogging is not a crime.
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Waleed Abu Al-Khair is a Saudi human rights lawyer and activist. He defended Raif Badawi and was detained in connection with his human rights work. He was brought before the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh on 6 October 2013, on charges that included: “breaking allegiance to and disobeying the ruler”, “disrespecting the authorities”, “offending the judiciary”, “inciting international organisations against the Kingdom” and “founding an unlicensed organization”

Despite continued pressure, he has refused to renege on his human rights work. He is a prisoner of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally.