Montreal makes jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi an honorary citizen

The City of Montreal has made jailed Saudi bloggerRaifBadawian honorary citizen.

The move is symbolic anddoesn'tgrant him Canadian citizenship, which is a federal prerogative. The municipal politicians who pushed for the move say they hope it will generate support from other cities, further pressuring Saudi Arabian officials to release him.

Coun.MarvinRotrandandEnsembleMontral,the official opposition at Montreal City Hall, proposed a non-partisanmotion last week tohonourBadawi. However,MayorValriePlanteannounced the city had gone ahead and made Badawi an honorary citizen before Rotrandhad a chance to table the motion.

Badawi'swife,EnsafHaidar, andtheirthree children live in Sherbrooke, Que. They were granted political asylum in Canada in 2013.Badawihas been in jail in Saudi Arabia since 2012, when he was arrested for promoting liberal views of Islam on his blog.

Sherbrooke residents and local politicianshave been steadfast in their support forHaidarand her family, holding more than 180 vigils for Badawion Fridaysover the past four years.

'Important for democracy'

In a short ceremony in Montreal granting Badawi honorary citizenship, Plantesaid it was "a moment that is important for democracy and freedom of expression."

She said Badawi"is a great man who has dedicated his life to human rights and freedom of expression and who is condemned and tortured" as a result.

Badawi'swife as well as former federal justice minister IrwinCotler, Rotrandand opposition party leader Lionel Perez spoke to media before the ceremony.

Rotrand said he would like the federal government to be "more in your face" in appealing to Saudi foreign officials to push for Badawi'srelease.

In order for that to happen, Rotrandsaid, the public interest in the case needs to remain at levels similar to when international news outlets first picked up the story in 2013.

Montreal's gesturecomes days before Haidar is expected to receive full Canadian citizenship on Friday, Rotrand said.

Haidarmade her own appeal to the public, saying, "I've received a lot of hope, a lot of awards, and I have hope, but up until now nothing has changed in Raif's case."

"Help me, please."

Badawiwas sentenced to 10 years in prisonand fined $300,000 a punishment that wasdecried by human rights defendersworldwide at the time.

His original sentence included atotal 1,000 lashes.He received the first 50 lashes but is believed to have been spared the others because of poor health.

In December,Haidar said she was told by a European Parliament delegation thatBadawiwas on "a list of people who would be forgiven by the king," but it was unclear when that would happen.

Badawi'simprisonment has drawn widespread international condemnation, and human rights groups haveaccused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of not doing enough to free him.