Sri Lankans of all faiths came together in Kandy, Nawalapitiya and Kundasale to sign petitions for the pardoning of Rizana Nafeek, the young Sri Lankan Muslim girl now in a Saudi Jail, condemned to death for the alleged murder of an infant under her care. Rizana was only 17-years-old when she went to work in Saudi as a house maid. Without any training she was handed the care of an infant who sadly choked while being bottle fed.
The petition is to be sent to His Royal Highness, the King of Saudi Arabia seeking Rizana’s pardon and release.
On December 10 a campaign under the caption of ‘Save Rizana’, organized by Janasansadaya and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) based in Hong Kong, took place in Galle.
More than one thousand five hundred people from Galle participated in this campaign. A procession along the street of Galle Town holding a banner with the words, “Save Rizana” organised by the Human Rights Defenders of Janasanasadaya was also arranged and the people who were walking along the street willingly participated.
In addition to the campaign, a special event was also arranged at three Mosques in Galle Town during the Friday Noon Congregation in which the Mosques authorities displayed their solidarity by sparing a few minutes to pray for the survival of Rizana. They also signed the petition addressed to the King.
For the benefit of those who have assisted in the appeal and those who are interested in learning more about the case we provide below links to all the Statements, Urgent Appeals and Forwarded Articles published over the past years.
Statements by the AHRC:
STM-242-2010, STM-238-2010, PRL-029-2010, STM-228-2010, STM-226-2010, STM-221-2010, STM-219-2010, STM-214-2010, OLT-011-2010, OLT-012-2010, STM-003-2009, STM-218-2009, STM-258-2008, STM-266-2008, UP-097-2007, PL-044-2007, OL-023-2007, PL-027-2007, PL-025-2007, PL-024-2007, PL-023-2007, AS-284-2007, AS-162-2007, AS-163-2007, AS-165-2007, AS-160-2007, UP-097-2007, UP-093-2007; PL-023-2007,
Urgent Appeals by the AHRC:
UAU-041-2010, UA-207-2007, UG-004-2007
Forwarded articles:
FPR-064-2010, FAT-063-2010, FAT-062-2010, FAT-061-2010, FAT-059-2010, FAT-058-2010
