Prince urged to raise human rights issues on Middle East tour

Calls have been made for the Prince of Wales to raise concerns about human rights abuses during his six-day tour of the Middle East which begins today.

Amnesty International UK has appealed to Charles to use his influence and "pass on a few well chosen words" as he tours the Gulf, and raise the case of jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who faces a decade behind bars and 1,000 lashes.

Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK director, said: "We don't expect Prince Charles to give up the red carpets and state banquets and become a human rights campaigner, but as a man who knows the Middle East well we hope that he will use this visit to pass on a few well-chosen words to his royal hosts.

"We know that freedom of religion is an issue close to the Prince's heart, and in Saudi Arabia he will surely want to raise the outrageous case of Raif Badawi, the blogger jailed and flogged for discussing politics and religion on his website.

"We still need the UK government to do more on Raif's case, but Charles' diplomatic intercession could help secure this man's freedom."

The Prince's tour of the Middle East will see him travel to Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

He arrives in Jordan today and on Sunday will attend a full programme of events that will include a meeting with the new king who will later join Charles at an interfaith event.