Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun: Saudi teen vows to fight for women's rights despite facing ‘multiple’ threats
'I am one of the lucky ones,' says Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Saudi teenager who fled the Middle Eastern kingdom due to fears that she would be harmed or killed by family members, has received multiple threats online after being granted asylum in Canada.
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun is set to begin her new life in Toronto accompanied by a security guard, who has been hired to ensure she is "never alone"
The 18-year-old attracted global attention after she barricaded herself in a hotel room in Thailand before taking to social media to plead for assistance, nonetheless pledged to fight for women's freedoms in her first public appearance since she touched down in the city.
"Today and for years to come, I will work in support of freedom for women around the world," the teenager said in a statement, which she read out in Arabic at a press conference.
"I am one of the lucky ones," she added. "I know there are unlucky women that disappeared after escaping and could not do anything to change their reality."
The teenager hit the headlines after she was stopped in Thailand's capital Bangkok on 4 January. Immigration police seized her passport and denied her entry to the country.
She then took to Twitter to explain that she escaped Saudi Arabia during a trip to Kuwait and that her life would be in danger if she was forced to return to her family.
Her family denies any abuse.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees eventually granted the 18-year-old refugee status and she accepted an offer of asylum from Canada.
Costi, a refugee agency, has been hired by the Canadian government to help Ms al-Qunun settle into Toronto.
Staff at the agency remain concerned over multiple threats aimed at the teenager online.
"It's hard to say how serious these threats are," Mario Calla, the agency's executive director, said. "We're taking them seriously."
Ms al-Qunun thanked the Canadian and Thai governments and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for making her move to Canada possible.
"I understand that everyone here and around the world wishes me well and would like to continue to hear about how I am doing, but ... I would like to start living a normal private life, just like any other young woman living in Canada," she said.
Additional reporting by agencies
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments