Raif Badawi Foundation

Raif Badawi Foundation is a non-profit organization established by Ensaf Haidar, the wife of imprisoned Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi, in collaboration with Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders. The foundation aims to promote freedom of expression and support human rights defenders, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for his online activism. The foundation's work is closely followed by United Nations agencies, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The foundation also receives support from prominent human rights organizations, such as the International Federation for Human Rights and the European Union's European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

● History

The Raif Badawi Foundation was established in 2014, shortly after Raif Badawi's arrest and sentencing in Saudi Arabia. The foundation's creation was supported by Amnesty International, which had been campaigning for Raif Badawi's release since his arrest in 2012. The foundation's early work was focused on raising awareness about Raif Badawi's case and advocating for his release, in collaboration with other human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists. The foundation also worked closely with European Parliament members, including Guy Verhofstadt and Marietje Schaake, who had been vocal in their support for Raif Badawi. In addition, the foundation received support from Nobel Peace Prize laureates, such as Malala Yousafzai and Shirin Ebadi, who had spoken out against Raif Badawi's imprisonment.

● Mission and Objectives

The Raif Badawi Foundation's mission is to promote freedom of expression and support human rights defenders, particularly in Saudi Arabia and other countries where human rights are restricted. The foundation's objectives include advocating for the release of imprisoned bloggers and activists, such as Raif Badawi and Waleed Abulkhair, and supporting their families. The foundation also aims to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of expression and the need to protect human rights defenders, in collaboration with organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Press Institute. The foundation's work is guided by the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to freedom of expression and the protection of human rights defenders.

● Activities and Initiatives

The Raif Badawi Foundation engages in a range of activities and initiatives to promote freedom of expression and support human rights defenders. These include organizing campaigns and events to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of expression and the need to protect human rights defenders, such as the World Press Freedom Day and the International Human Rights Day. The foundation also provides support to the families of imprisoned bloggers and activists, including Ensaf Haidar and Lina Ben Mhenni, who have been recognized for their courage and activism by organizations such as the Index on Censorship and the Global Voices Advocacy. In addition, the foundation works with social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, to promote freedom of expression and raise awareness about the importance of protecting human rights defenders.

● Awards and Recognition

The Raif Badawi Foundation has received several awards and recognition for its work promoting freedom of expression and supporting human rights defenders. These include the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which was awarded to Raif Badawi in 2015, and the One Humanity Award, which was awarded to Ensaf Haidar in 2016. The foundation has also been recognized by organizations such as the International Federation for Human Rights and the European Union's European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, which have praised the foundation's work in promoting freedom of expression and supporting human rights defenders. In addition, the foundation has received support from prominent human rights organizations, such as the Human Rights Foundation and the Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms.

● Organization and Leadership

The Raif Badawi Foundation is led by Ensaf Haidar, who serves as the foundation's president. The foundation's board of directors includes prominent human rights activists and advocates, such as Samar Badawi and Ali Dubois, who have been recognized for their work in promoting freedom of expression and supporting human rights defenders. The foundation also has a network of partners and supporters, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists, which provide guidance and support for the foundation's work. The foundation's leadership is guided by the principles of transparency and accountability, and the foundation is committed to working with other human rights organizations to promote freedom of expression and support human rights defenders around the world, including in countries such as China, Russia, and Egypt. Category:Human rights organizations