Amnesty International calls for united front against Saudi Arabia

MONTREAL — Amnesty International says the global community should form a united front with Canada and speak out to protect two recently arrested women, including the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi.

Geneviève Paul, the director of Amnesty’s francophone branch, points out that pressure is put on the Saudi government when news of such arrests becomes public.

“I don’t think it will worsen the situation because very often when we make evident unjust imprisonments, like the case of Samar Badawi, that increases their protection and increases pressure on the government,” she said Monday.

Amnesty International has said Badawi’s sister was recently detained along with Nassima al-Sada, another prominent female activist.

Paul pointed to the case of Raif Badawi as an example of how putting international pressure on the Saudis can have an impact.

“He was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison, he received 50 lashes in 2015 and he could receive others, but he hasn’t,” she said.

“We do believe that this is because of continuous pressure and visibility on Raif’s case so we’re really hoping that more states speak out on Samar Badawi and all other activists.”

Paul stressed the situation is worse when the government does what it wants in secret and is not singled out for alleged human rights violations.

“Clearly the aggressive reaction of the Saudi government shows that it’s been disturbed,” she added.

Saudi Arabia said Sunday it was ordering Canada’s ambassador to leave the country and freezing all new trade and investment transactions with Canada in a spat over human rights.

The Islamic Kingdom made the decision in retaliation to a Global Affairs Canada’s tweet that expressed concern about the arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in the country, such as Samar Badawi.

Paul said the Saudi government knows there are serious human rights violations in the country.