Opposition MP asks Sri Lankan President to seek clemency for death row housemaid at ACD summit Oct 17, Colombo: Ranjan Ramanayake, a parliamentarian of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), has requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa in writing to take up the issue of Sri Lankan housemaid Rizana Nafeek, who is on death row in Saudi Arabia. Ramanayake has requested the President to take the matter for discussion during the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) currently underway in Kuwait City. He has noted that the President should try and request for clemency for Nafeek. Nafeek was convicted by a Saudi court for allegedly strangulating to death an infant while the victim's parents were away. Nafeek was 16 years of age at the time of the incident and her defence had stated that the infant had died due to suffocation while being fed. Migrant Rights, a rights group representing the plight of migrant workers in Middle East, has also urged President Rajapaksa to address the plight of Nafeek, during his meeting with the King of Saudi Arabia. The group has urged both the President and External Affairs Minister to confront the pressing issue while in the audience of those officials capable of instituting critical change.

Opposition MP asks Sri Lankan President to seek clemency for death row housemaid at ACD summit
Wed, Oct 17, 2012, 07:43 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Oct 17, Colombo: Ranjan Ramanayake, a parliamentarian of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), has requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa in writing to take up the issue of Sri Lankan housemaid Rizana Nafeek, who is on death row in Saudi Arabia.
Ramanayake has requested the President to take the matter for discussion during the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) currently underway in Kuwait City.
He has noted that the President should try and request for clemency for Nafeek.
Nafeek was convicted by a Saudi court for allegedly strangulating to death an infant while the victim's parents were away. Nafeek was 16 years of age at the time of the incident and her defence had stated that the infant had died due to suffocation while being fed.
Migrant Rights, a rights group representing the plight of migrant workers in Middle East, has also urged President Rajapaksa to address the plight of Nafeek, during his meeting with the King of Saudi Arabia.
The group has urged both the President and External Affairs Minister to confront the pressing issue while in the audience of those officials capable of instituting critical change.
Source:  Wed, Oct 17, 2012, 07:43 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
URL:  http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12A/Oct17_1350483203JR.php

"Stop the execution of Rizana Nafeek

(Hong Kong, October 17, 2012) The AHRC wishes to forward this update from Change.org on the situation of Rizana Nafeek.

Subject: Update about "Stop the Execution of Rizana Nafeek in Saudi Arabia"

Dear supporters of Rizana Nafeek,

We now have over 3,500 signatures on this petition, but Rizana remains
on death row in Saudi Arabia.

The next few days could be critical.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is set to participate in the first Asian Corporation Dialogue Summit in Kuwait on the 16 and 17 of October.

Rajapaksa will meet with the Emirs of Kuwait and Qatar, as well as the king of Saudi Arabia. We urge President Rajapaksa to use this opportunity to address the plight of Rizana Nafeek, as well as the broader issues facing migrants in the Gulf.

According to Migrant Rights, the President’s office has indicated an intention to broach the case of Rizana:
http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/children/save-rizana-nafeek/rizana-updates/3142-asia-summit-rizana.html
Now is the time to put pressure on the Sri Lankan president and the Saudi authorities again!

Thank you so much for all your support so far. If you possibly can do so, please share this petition far and wide over the next few days - Rizana's life could depend on it.

Very kindest regards,
Chris
Founder - Safe World for Women.


Please refer to our earlier press release where you will find the link to the petition: SAUDI ARABIA/SRI LANKA: Stop the Execution of Rizana Nafeek in Saudi Arabia