Saudi teen granted asylum in Canada
A Saudi woman who said she was abused by her family and feared for her life if deported back home has been granted asylum in Canada.
Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, fled her family while visiting Kuwait and flew to Bangkok.
She barricaded herself in an airport hotel to avoid deportation and grabbed global attention by mounting a social media campaign for asylum. Ms Alqunun flew to Toronto via Seoul, South Korea, according to Thai immigration Police Chief Surachate Hakparn. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau confirmed his country had granted her asylum.
He said: “That is something that we are pleased to do because Canada is a country that understands how important it is to stand up for human rights and to stand up for woman’s rights around the world. And I can confirm that we have accepted the UN’S request.”
Several other countries, including Australia, had been in talks with the UN’S refugee agency to accept Ms Alqunun. Canada’s ambassador had seen her off at the airport, Mr Surachate said, adding that she looked happy and healthy.
He added that the first thing she would do upon arrival in Canada would be to learn the language.