Prayers at three Mosques in Galle and the signing of a petition to save Rizana Nafeek


Statement issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission

(December 13, Colombo - Hong Kong, Sri Lanka Guardian) Prayers were held in three Mosques in Galle for saving the life of Rizana Nafeek. Those who attended the prayers also signed a petition addressed to the King of Saudi Arabia for her pardon.

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 on December 10th, 2010, which is International Human Rights Day.

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 and signed the petition prepared to for submission to the King of Saudi Arabia.

Rizana is now in a Saudi Jail, condemned to death for the alleged murder of an infant under her care. She was employed when she was only 17 years old to work as a house maid, and the death sentence given by the judges and how the verdict, if confirmed by the King, will be carried out at any time. They distributed pamphlets titled "Save Rizana" and collected signatures to the petition addressed to the King of Saudi Arabia requesting him to save the young girl's life.

In addition, 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.

In Colombo, participants of a workshop organized by the Janasansadaya to commemorate International Human Rights Day also signed the petition addressed the King of Saudi Arabia.

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