Saudi teen who fled family leaves Thailand for asylum in Canada

[TomSea]

Saudi teen who fled family leaves Thailand for asylum in Canada
Patpicha Tanakasempipat, Anna Mehler Paperny

BANGKOK/TORONTO (Reuters) - An 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled her family saying she feared for her life has been granted asylum in Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, as Thai officials confirmed the teen was en route to Toronto.

Trudeau said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had asked Canada to take in Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who grabbed international attention this week after she barricaded herself in a Bangkok airport hotel room to resist being sent home to her family, which denies any abuse.

“Canada is a country that understands how important it is to stand up for human rights, to stand up for women’s rights around the world, and I can confirm that we have accepted the U.N.’s request,” he told reporters.

Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-saudi/saudi-teen-who-fled-family-leaves-thailand-for-asylum-in-canada-idUSKCN1P50QF