saudi arabia has a "counter-radicalization program" the purpose of which is to "combat the spread and appeal of extremist ideologies among the general populous (sic)" and to "instill the true values of the islamic faith, such as tolerance and moderation." this "tolerance and moderation" has been called into question by the baltimore sun, based on the reports from amnesty international regarding raif badawi, and in the case of a man from hafr al-batin sentenced to death for rejecting islam. in september 2015, faisal bin hassan trad, saudi arabia's ambassador to the un in geneva, has been elected chair of the united nations human rights council panel that appoints independent experts. in january 2016, saudi arabia executed the prominent shia cleric sheikh nimr who had called for pro-democracy demonstrations and for free elections in saudi arabia.