Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

The Saudi woman is granted asylum in Canada

The Saudi woman at the centre of an international incident is granted asylum in Canada.

Rahaf Alqunun with an unidentified companion in Bangkok,
Saudi woman Rahaf Alqunun (R) has left Thailand for Canada, a Thai immigration official says. (AAP) Source: AAP

The 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled alleged abuse from her family has been granted asylum in Canada.

It had been thought Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun may come to Australia, where the government was weighing up offering her asylum.

But she has caught a plane from Bangkok, where she has been holed up and under the care of the United Nations for around a week, to Seoul.

She's then caught a connecting flight to Toronto, Canada's largest city.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his country offering Ms Al-Qunun asylum is consistent with both its own values, and a request of the United Nations.

"Canada has been unequivocal that we will always stand up for human rights, and women's rights around the world. This is part of a long tradition of Canada engaging constructively and positively in the world, and working with our partners allies and with the United Nations. And when the United Nations made a request of us that we grant Ms. Al-Qunun asylum, we accepted", - Trudeau said.

Ms Al-Qunun refused to meet with her father and brother, who came to Bangkok to try and take her back to Saudi Arabia.

More in English via SBS News.


2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Follow SBS Russian

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

Russian News

Stream now