Australia considers asylum for Saudi woman as her family arrive in Bangkok

Australia on Tuesday said it would consider a humanitarian visa for a young Saudi woman who had barricaded herself in a Bangkok hotel room and launched a dramatic bid for asylum via social media.

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, took to Twitter in protest after she was stopped by immigration officials during a transit through Bangkok airport while en route to Australia.

She claimed she was fleeing her family who had subjected her to physical and psychological abuse and that she feared she would be killed if she was sent home to Saudi Arabia. Her family have not commented on the allegations, although her father is believed to have now arrived in Thailand.

Ms al-Qunun managed to avoid being deported on a flight to Kuwait in a seemingly coordinated effort by the Thai and Saudi authorities after her cries for help sparked a global media frenzy and frantic efforts from human rights workers and diplomats to assist her.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/08/australia-considering-asylum-saudi-woman-family-arrive-bangkok/

I cannot believe she was nearly sent back.

What does that say about the power Governements have over another nation?

Lets hope the Aussies take here in

Apparently she has renounced Islam and is therefore in fear of her life if she returns home but as is said its the religion of peace and there is no compulsion in religion. Reports said she had been under house arrest at home for six months because she cut her hair.

Trying to blame Islam for a Saudi family's abhorrent behaviour is akin to me blaming Catholicism for France fucking over the South Pacific with its nuclear testing...

On a happier note, today the young asylum-seeker moved a couple of steps closer :

https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5842021/un-refers-saudi-refugee-case-to-australia/?cs=7

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-08/rahaf-alqunun-was-terrified-says-reporter-who-was-locked-in-room/10697636

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailand-is-no-friend-to-asylum-seekers-so-why-did-it-let-a-saudi-teenager-stay

Meanwhile, Thai police have stated that they intend to keep her safe until she can be transported to Australia; (maybe from certain Thai elements (e.g. immigration..), as well as the Saudis themselves ?).

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

Trying to blame Islam for a Saudi family's abhorrent behaviour is akin to me blaming Catholicism for France fucking over the South Pacific with its nuclear testing...

On a happier note, today the young asylum-seeker moved a couple of steps closer :

https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5842021/un-refers-saudi-refugee-case-to-australia/?cs=7

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-08/rahaf-alqunun-was-terrified-says-reporter-who-was-locked-in-room/10697636

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/thailand-is-no-friend-to-asylum-seekers-so-why-did-it-let-a-saudi-teenager-stay

Meanwhile, Thai police have stated that they intend to keep her safe until she can be transported to Australia;  (maybe from certain Thai elements (e.g. immigration..), as well as the Saudis themselves ?).

Its based on Islamic teachings on apostasy and is a capital offense in Saudi Arabia

Its not something the Saudi's simple wisked up

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy_in_Islam#What_constitutes_apostasy_in_Islam

If it’s worked for her then others could well start barricading themselves in and demanding the same. I’m not saying I’m against their final decision but it could start a whole new ball game for other people who may not be so genuine...

eddie wrote:If it’s worked for her then others could well start barricading themselves in and demanding the same. I’m not saying I’m against their final decision but it could start a whole new ball game for other people who may not be so genuine...

Well this shows how difficult it is for women to escape Saudi and she was only able to do so through another country that she was visiting in the Middle East.

To say this would open the door to many, when women require a male chaperone to be with them when outside travelling at all times. Shows that no doubt countless saudi women and other women struggle to escape Eddie.

Have a read Eddie

https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-teens-asylum-escape-puts-womens-rights-abuses-on-display/a-46990034

I’m not against asylum seekers didge, I just think it could start a whole new moving of goalposts and pisstakers.

eddie wrote:I’m not against asylum seekers didge, I just think it could start a whole new moving of goalposts and pisstakers.

Sorry Eddie, but based on the set up and restrictions in Saudi, I find that hard to believe that could happen.

People who manage to actually escape are very few indeed, sadly and will be people fleeing persecution.

Anyway I get your point

Have a good evening

Laters