The EBU is demanding the immediate release of a Saudi blogger, who has been publicly lashed following the establishment of an online forum that sought to encourage debate on religious and political matters in Saudi Arabia in 2008.

As well as a ten year jail term for ‘insulting Islam through electronic channels and going beyond the realm of obedience’ Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes – 50 at a time over 20 weeks. Officials delayed the second round of flogging because Badawi's wounds earlier this month had not healed.  

EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot says the European Broadcasting Community finds Mr Badawi’s treatment – condemned by human rights groups, Nobel laureates and foreign governments – ‘barbaric’ and ‘utterly abhorrent.’

“Free Saudi Liberals – the website set up by Mr Badawi may have been shut down by Saudi authorities,’ said Mr Philippot, ‘but there is an entire community of broadcasters which can never be silenced. Freedom of expression is not an ideal limited to geographical regions. It is a fundamental human right for citizens of every country and one we will continue to speak out about.’    

Saudi Arabia enforces a strict version of Islamic law and does not tolerate political dissent. It has some of the highest social media usage rates in the region, and has cracked down on domestic online criticism, imposing harsh punishments.