Saudi's Rahaf on run from her family, seeks asylum in Canada

Bangkok: A Saudi woman named Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, has sought asylum in Canada, on Tuesday after she was detained in Thailand, over doubts about the status of her Australian visa.

On January 5, Rahaf arrived Bangkok on her way to Australia, from where she was to be deported to Kuwait but she locked herself in a hotel room at Thailand airport so that she could be granted a temporary stay in Thailand under the protection of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

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It is to be mentioned that Rahaf was forced to get married by her family. Hence, she decided to get away from her family. After doubts were raised over the status of Rahaf’s tourist visa, she tweeted, “I want Canada to give me asylum.”

Whereas, the Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), Phil Robertson said that they had a talk with Australian authorities about Rahaf’s visa. Now, they are waiting for the official confirmation from authorities now that her visa has been cancelled.

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What had happened to Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun?

-The Saudi citizen Rahaf managed to escape from her family in Kuwait. Kuwait is a Gulf country where females do not require getting the authorization of a male relative to leave the country.

-Rahaf wanted to seek asylum in Australia but now she wants Canada to give asylum.

-After escaping from her house, Rahaf was receiving death threats from her family.

-Rahaf’s tweets went viral by Tuesday. It is to be noted that Rahaf started writing messages and posting videos about her ordeal on micro blogging site Twitter.

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