English PEN joins PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee in calling for the overturning of the conviction of writer and activist Wajeha Al-Huwaider.
On 15 June 2013, leading Saudi Arabian writer and journalist Wajeha Al-Huwaider was sentenced to ten months in prison and a two-year travel ban alongside fellow activist Fawzia al-Oyouni, for their peaceful women’s rights activism. For further information, please visit the PEN International website.
Al-Huwaider, an Honorary Member of English PEN, has been the subject of a sustained harassment campaign since May 2003, when she was banned from publishing in Saudi Arabia. PEN believes that the charges against Al-Huwaider and fellow activist Fawzia al-Oyouni are in violation of their right to free expression, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We are therefore calling for the charges against them to be quashed. Please join us.
TAKE ACTION
Please send appeals:
- Protesting the convictions of writer and activist Wajeha Al-Huwaider, and activist Fawzia al-Oyouni, who have been targeted solely for their peaceful activism and therefore in violation of their rights to freedom of expression as laid out in Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
- Calling for the sentences against them to be quashed.
Appeals to:
Crown Prince and Minister of the Interior
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
Ministry of the Interior
P.O.Box 2933,
Airport Road,
Riyadh 11134
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: +966 1 403 3125
Minister of Justice
Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa
Ministry of Justice
University Street,
Riyadh 11137
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Ambassador Tom MacDonald
Embassy of Canada
P.O. Box 94321
Riyadh, 11693,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fax: +966 11 482 5670
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Saudi Arabia in your country.
**Please contact us if sending appeals after 12 July 2013**
You should start an Avaaz campaign. It’ll be a lot more effective than requesting of people to make an appeal to the above.