Laureates Issue Open Letter to King of Saudi Arabia

Renowned poet, art curator and Palestinian refugee Ashraf Fayadh was sentenced to death by beheading on November 17, 2015, by decision of the government of Saudi Arabia. Though his sentence was later reduced to 8 years in prison and 800 lashes, the international community has widely condemned his detention. Mr. Fayadh attracted negative judicial attention due to the critical, political, social and religious content of some of his poems, identified as blasphemous and instigating atheism by his persecutors.

2006 Right Livelihood Award Laureate organisation the International Poetry Festival of Medellin(Colombia) has invited the poet to present his work at the 26th edition of the event, to be held between the 18th and 26th of June 2016. In order to facilitate his travel and attendance, 22 Laureates of the Right Livelihood Award have jointly signed an open letter to King Salman bin Abdulaziz requesting the immediate release of Ashraf Fayadh.