Ensaf Haid[a]r, right, wife of Raif Badawi, walks with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, left, to his office, after the legislature voted unanimously in favour of a motion to free her husband from a Saudi Arabia jail, Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

One cannot be too optimistic. However, I am reassured by the fact that, on 11 February 2015, the Quebec legislature voted unanimously to ask, as a government, that Raif Badawi be released.

Raif Badawi is not a Canadian citizen, which hinders diplomatic efforts. Yet, if an entire legislative assembly votes to help an innocent young man, the Saudi judiciary and its Royals may respond favourably. They are human beings and they have seen one of their own burned alive.

Canadian Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, will not contact the Saudi embassy regarding Mr Badawi’s sentence. Mr Badawi is not a Canadian citizen. However, if a member of Parliament (Canada) should submit a motion asking for the release of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi and a vote should ensue supporting Mr Badawi, that could be helpful. I may be wrong.

Unfortunately, converts are still flocking to the Middle East to join ISIL. How can we stop them? It’s a serious issue.

I wish to thank premier Philippe Couillard and all members of the Quebec legislature for supporting Ensaf Haidar’s effort to free her husband. The motion to support Mr Badawi was made by Luc Fortin, a Member of the National Assembly (Quebec).

“Sükun” de Hüseyin Özkılıç (Egypt)

Ensaf Haidar

© Micheline Walker
13 February 2015
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