PRESS RELEASE - Katrina Lantos Swett & Other Prominent Religious Freedom Advocates Offer to take Saudi Lashings in Raif Badawi's Place

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation, has joined with other prominent religious freedom advocates in calling on Saudi Arabia to cancel the sentence of 1,000 lashes that has been imposed on liberal blogger Raif Badawi. The advocates are offering to each take 100 of the lashes to which Badawi has been sentenced if the Saudi government refuses to cancel his punishment. The signatories of the letter include: Professor Robert George of Princeton University, Mary Ann Glendon, former Ambassador to the Holy See; Professor Daniel Mark of Villanova University; Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy; Eric Schwartz, Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota; and Hannah Rosenthal, CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

In a letter sent today to the Saudi embassy they cite the “grave injustice” of his sentence and write, “We would rather share in his victimization than stand by and watch him being cruelly tortured.” 

The Lantos Foundation and these individuals join a powerful chorus of voices including leading US Senators, Amnesty International, the US State Department, and others in condemning Saudi Arabia’s action in this case as barbaric.

Read the Letter Here

Lantos Foundation Statement on Kehilat Bnei Torah Synagogue Attack

CONCORD, NH – Like the rest of the world, the Lantos Foundation is deeply troubled by the recent attack on Jewish worshipers at the Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue in Jerusalem. While this vicious act of terror demands a strong, unequivocal, and directed response, we call on the world’s citizens and leaders to resist the effort to stoke greater hatred and violence as a result of this tragic event. We commend the examples set by those who have already resisted this urge, and we hope that others will not use this tragic event for their own selfish gains. Our prayers go out to the families of those murdered this week and to all victims of religious intolerance around the world.

Lantos Foundation Statement - The Death of James Foley

The brutal murder of James Foley has once again reminded the world of the extraordinary stakes in the ongoing struggle between the forces of human rights and democracy and those of barbarism, repression, and savagery. The Jihadists of ISIS and their ilk are truly enemies of all mankind. From their threatened genocide against the Yazidi community to their "convert or die” ultimatum against the ancient Christian communities of Syria and Iraq, they have demonstrated conclusively that their vicious cruelty knows no bounds, nor will it respect any national boundaries. It is incumbent upon responsible leaders to recognize that unless this evil force is confronted and defeated, it will find its way to our own shores and our own doorsteps.

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice calls upon the leaders of the civilized world to act decisively and in concert to defend the fundamental human rights of the imperiled people in the path of this murderous horde. James Foley courageously sacrificed his life to bring the story of this suffering region to the world’s attention and his tragic death must strengthen the world’s resolve to defeat this grave threat to humanity.

Once again, the words of Congressman Lantos sound prophetically in our ears; “The veneer of civilization is paper thin. We are its guardians and we can never rest”. 

The Shocking Explosion of Anti-Semitism - Taking a Stand

Dear Friend,

I know you are as disturbed as I am about the explosion of open anti-Semitism in Europe over the past several weeks. Whether it is the chilling footage of Germans marching with posters calling for Jews to be gassed, the report of a Belgian doctor refusing to treat a Jewish patient, or the bombing of synagogues and looting of Jewish stores in France, we must not deceive ourselves - the mask is off and the dark under-current of anti-Semitism in Europe has surged to the surface again. This ancient hatred must be confronted at every turn and this will be a key focus of the Lantos Foundation in the coming months; and for as long as it takes.

At our recent Lantos Prize ceremony honoring President Shimon Peres of Israel, we discussed the upcoming Solidarity Sabbath Initiative that we will be spearheading in 2015. We want to recognize and commend those who are likewise taking pro-active steps to expose anti-Semitism wherever it rears its evil head.

Our friends at MEMRI, with whom we partner on the Lantos Archives on Anti-Semitism, recently uncovered a video of an Imam in Italy calling for Jews to die “one by one”. As a result of MEMRI’s research, the Italian government announced yesterday that they are expelling this individual from the country. Last week Congressman Nadler, Congressman Roskam, and Congresswoman Lowey introduced H.RES. 707, a resolution condemning all forms of anti-Semitism. As Congressman Nadler said, "We must unequivocally condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and reject attempts to justify anti-Semitic hatred or violent attacks as an acceptable expression of frustration with political events in the Middle East or anywhere else". Of course the Lantos Foundation is one of the early strong supporters of this congressional action.

We urge you to reach out with your support and thanks to those who are standing up against the growing threats to Jewish communities around the world. Just as these beleaguered communities need to know that they are not alone, their defenders need your support as well.

I hope you will take a moment to express your thanks to the Italian Minister of the Interior Angelino Alfano for his decision to expel the despicable Imam who was inciting violence against the Jews as well as to the members of Congress who have sponsored this important resolution. I also hope you will extend your generous support to the Lantos Foundation and our partners, like MEMRI, who are daily heeding my late father’s call for eternal vigilance against the forces of brutality and hatred. As Tom said, “The veneer of civilization is paper thin, we are its guardians and we can never rest”.

 

Katrina Lantos Swett

 

Learn more about MEMRI.

Meriam Ibrahim Arrives in New Hampshire - Statement from Katrina Lantos Swett

"Over the past several months the world has watched with bated breath as Meriam Ibrahim, a beautiful young mother from Sudan, defied the prosecutors and persecutors in her country who had threatened her with whippings and death if she did not renounce her Christian faith. Meriam refused to give in to this state sponsored intimidation and even gave birth to her new daughter while shackled in a Sudanese prison. Mrs. Ibrahim is a true profile in courage and dignity and has inspired advocates for religious liberty and human rights around the world. Thankfully, she has now arrived in New Hampshire where she and her family will be able to live in security and peace. It is fitting that the Granite State will be Meriam's new home. Our well known motto in New Hampshire is "Live free or die", exemplifying our profound commitment to individual liberty and fundamental human rights. Meriam Ibrahim is a living embodiment of this creed and from her example we should all draw renewed determination to stand up for the rights and dignity of people in every corner of the world."