VEGANGELICA

I agree that one benefit of signing the petition asking Saudi Arabia to free Raif Badawi is that doing so helps promote the idea of freedom of speech and freedom of religion as human rights.

Yet I also think signing petitions and pressuring governments to back down from their draconian, cruel rulings and punishments *can* help, especially the more people who sign. I think that governments of countries around the world are susceptible to peer pressure.

For example, early in March, Saudi Arabia responded to international pressure by releasing an official statement. While the Saudi government claims that it won't change its stance on Raif, the fact that it made a formal response shows that Saudi Arabia *is* listening:

Raif Badawi: Saudi Arabia accuses western media of attacking its sovereignty - Middle East - World - The Independent

And when government after government challenges their judicial practices (beheadings, lashings, etc.), it may be harder and harder for them to continue to do them.

Unfortunately, I think the Saudi people are not in a position to criticize their government and ask for change because they are subject to its abuses, so we on the outside are the only ones who can. Signing a petition is a quick and easy way to help. At the very least, it lets his wife and kids know that millions of people are thinking of them and wanting their husband/father to be released. If my dad were incarcerated and being lashed and possibly facing the death penalty due to something he wrote, I would want to know that millions of people recognize the abuse and and are outraged by it.

Sometimes we can't stop suffering, but knowing you are not alone in your suffering can help reduce it.

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