This afternoon.
Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.
A live blogathon organised by Grace Dyas (above left) of Amnesty International Ireland to raise awareness of the plight of Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu al-Khair.
Raif was jailed for 10 years and publicly flogged in 2012 after starting a website for social and political debate in Saudi Arabia while Waleed, a human rights lawyer, was arrested in 2014. Both men are on hunger strike.
Supporters and bloggers, including Broadsheet on the Telly‘s Vanessa Foran (above right) and middle pic from left: Kieran Clifford, Louise Conway and Valentina Lops called on King Salman and Saudi authorities to free Raif and Waleed “immediately and unconditionally”.
Previously: Where Blogging Is A Crime
publicly flogged for 10 years? Saud off…
Thanks Manta Rae, fixed now. Sorry.
This was fixed. Thanks, Bodger!
More seriously, I have travelled to a few countries where, prior to departure, I was advised to check my whole social media history to be safe. Sadly, too many people who do speak out are targetted. Some say free speech is a right, but sadly it is only won by the suffering of those who dare to speak out.
We do not know how lucky we are living here.
Thanks, Slightly Bemused. Fixed now. Sorry.
‘number 3
you have the right to free speech
as long as you’re not dumb enough to actually try it’
Which is why Amnesty International Ireland should be condemning organisations and political parties who want to restrict peaceful, public protest on any issue. Any restriction will first be used against a point of view that’s unpopular, then it’ll be further expanded and used whenever protests are a bit inconvenient e.g. the protest above will be interpreted as a security concern and banned.
Stand up for peaceful protests in public now Amnesty International Ireland, or be forever on the back foot.
I see what you’re doing.
Me too…but what does that matter? He’s right.
There’s nothing peaceful about intimidating women.
Regina Doherty has your ip address
Blogging is bad for your back? Would WordPress Ups help?
I think we should be careful passing judgement from a position of privilege onto other culture, these things usually end up veering into Islamophobia very quickly
And d’ya know what would be a big help Jamsie?
Not mentioning religion or even introducing any of them by name
I was there
And tis gas that the only mention of religion anywhere about this protest, was here, you
looking well, by the way, V
Ah give over
Christmas pudding bulges and roots that need doing