U.N. refers Saudi teen to Australia for refugee resettlement

[BestB]

Firstly happy to hear she is safe and has been granted refugee status, but have to ask, why to Australia?

 

Was that her choice? Why so many refugees want to go to Australia?

 

Not knocking her, but during Lebanese civil war, Australia took in few hundred thousand refugees from Lebanon.

 

2-3 decades later, jails are full with Lebanese, all drug dealings, bikie gangs, rapes, drug import, prostitution all run by Lebanese.

 

Recently Australia took refugees from Africa and Melbourne has turned into a gang war zone.

 

Again, not knocking her, being just a young girl with genuine reasons, but why Oz? 

[Denim]

This is getting to be like a children's game.

 

Pass the parcel.

 

Except it's a human being not a parcel.

[fire and ice]

5 hours ago, PJPom said:

It will be very amusing to see the reactions of the supporters of Islam on Australian television who declare it to be a female friendly religion.

Also in Australia criticism of Islam is a crime, will this make her unacceptable as she has openly rejected it ?.

Has she got friends or Relatives to help her in Australia and is she financially able to support herself, does she speak English, the barriers to establishing a happy future will be great.

After all these doubts I hope she succeeds, good luck young lady.

Agree with your first sentence (too true). But criticism of Islam (or any religion) is not a crime in Australia.

[Thechook]

7 hours ago, PJPom said:

It will be very amusing to see the reactions of the supporters of Islam on Australian television who declare it to be a female friendly religion.

Also in Australia criticism of Islam is a crime, will this make her unacceptable as she has openly rejected it ?.

Has she got friends or Relatives to help her in Australia and is she financially able to support herself, does she speak English, the barriers to establishing a happy future will be great.

After all these doubts I hope she succeeds, good luck young lady.

I'm sure a mosque will take her in and a sheikh will help her to adapt to an Aussie lifestyle

[Thechook]

Great way to get into Australia and see the flood gates opening.  Just say you denounced islam and now you are going to be killed, get automatic access to Australia and then bring your friends and family over.  Off to the mosque to thank alah for his help.

 

[Thechook]

5 hours ago, mok199 said:

Is that the cardboard Joke in the picture loitering around..

Yes he rescued her and is organising her citizenship in Australia.

[webfact]

UN agency urges Australia to consider asylum request after Saudi teen granted refugee status

By THE NATION

 

 

THE UNITED Nations refugee agency has asked Australia to consider resettlement of the Saudi teenager who was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport last week after Thai immigration staff said her travelling documents were insufficient.

 

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, who claimed to have run away from her family after enduring physical and psychological abuse, barricaded herself in an airport hotel even as Thai authorities prepared to deport her back to her family at the request of Riyadh.

 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangkok intervened in the case after al-Qunun publicised her distress via social media, while human rights defenders and media weighed in on the case to demand protection for her.

 

The Thai authorities later changed their stance and allowed UNHCR representatives access to the teenager. She was taken under their care by the UN agency on Monday.

 

“The UNHCR has referred al-Qunun to Australia for consideration for refugee resettlement,” Australia’s Department of Home Affairs confirmed in a statement.

 

The department said it will “consider this referral in the usual way, as it does with all UNHCR referrals”.

 

Australian officials have strongly hinted that al-Qunun’s request will be accepted, according to an AFP report. “If she is found to be a refugee, then we will give very, very, very serious consideration to a humanitarian visa,” Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt had said before the UN assessment was made public.

 

The 18-year-old refused to meet with her father who is in Thailand, according to Immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn. 

 

The father, who flew in yesterday and is set to take the evening flight back to Riyadh, was scheduled to meet UNHCR officials to give his side of the story. 

 

The young woman is accusing her family of physical and psychological abuse. It is still unclear why the woman was detained in Bangkok in the first place. 

 

Earlier reports claimed al-Qunun’s father had asked Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Bangkok to help detain her but the embassy said later that Saudi Arabia had never demanded her deportation since the conflict is a family matter. 

 

Surachate yesterday blamed the airline for allowing al-Qunun to board its flight to Bangkok even though she had insufficient travel documents. He said the Thai Immigration Police Bureau would issue a warning to Kuwait Airways. He said he planned to have immigration laws that have been used for more than 40 years reviewed. The laws should increase the penalty for airlines whose staff do not check the required documents, including a return ticket for a passenger, he said. 

 

Meanwhile, Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne will arrive in Thailand today on a bilateral visit and also make the case for the safe return to Australia of footballer Hakeem Alaraibi, who has been detained in Thailand and faces an extradition court trial. 

 

Alaraibi, who is wanted in Bahrain in connection with a political protest, was granted permanent residency by the Australian government in recognition of his status as a refugee, according to a statement. 

 

Payne will meet with her Thai counterpart, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. Her visit comes at an important time for Thailand as it takes up its position as Asean Chair for 2019.

 

The visit will serve as an opportunity to reiterate Australia’s support for Thailand’s return to democracy, following elections that are expected to take place this year, the statement said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30361947

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-01-10

[car720]

10 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Of course Saudia Arabia and its repression is very much related to the U.S. and Trump, because of the Saudi Arabians among the 9/11 hijackers, because of Khashoggi, because of Saudi Arabia's key role in Islamic fundamentalism.  Unlike most other countries, the U.S. has the size, economic cloud and ability to impact Saudi Arabia if it decided to.

 

In the wake of Khashoggi's murder, there were plenty of calls by Republicans and Democrats in Congress for the U.S. to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia and its leaders similar to what the U.S. has done with Russia, including canceling some slated arms deals. But AFAIK, Trump and his administration thus far have done very little to meaningfully impact the Saudi leadership and government.

 

But the worst part is Trump publicly standing there saying he really doesn't know who ordered the murder and there wasn't enough evidence, even as most of the rest of the world, including the U.S. intelligence community, looked at the public and private evidence and concluded with pretty much certainty that the Saudi government and MBS were responsible.

 

That's why I brought Trump into the Saudi Arabia topic, because at a time when he's grousing about Mexicans and Central Americans, he's doing next to nothing about a repressive regime of murderers and one that's behind much of the Muslim fundamentalist terrorism movement that he supposedly is committed to fighting (even though he's really only focused on poor and colored foreigners -- not the oil rich ones).

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-15/u-s-sanctions-saudi-arabia-khashoggi-murder
 

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-11/senate-drive-to-punish-saudi-prince-over-khashoggi-death-delayed
 

 

and if memory serves me, I recall Trump going on TV and saying that he didn't like it but we need to sell them guns.

[toolpush]

17 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Now it's up to Australia, or some other country, to accept her for resettlement, after the UN agency has supported her case.  But right now, no news on that, so presumably she's still stuck here under the care of the U.N. until there's some further development by Australia or elsewhere.

 

As for her mobile phone, I'm sure the Saudi's DO wish someone has seized the young woman's phone and prevented her from telling her story to the world.  Another stain on the already much stained reputation of Saudi Arabia, who nonetheless still manages to find a friend in U.S. would-be dictator Trump.

 

 

But never mind Odumbo bending over and kissing the Saudi King's hand.

[hobobo]

13 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

 

Never miss a chance to slag of Trump do we, even in a topic that is not related in any way to Trump or even the US.

 

But please care to explain which countries or companies actually have turned their back on SA after the murder or Khashoggi?

Several European countries who in the past had supplied KSA with arms have cancelled all future orders. No doubt Trump sees this as a victory. And it seems like Trump invites and thrives being slagged.

[kamahele]

16 hours ago, balo said:

The whole country Saudi Arabia is evil . Based on Islam. 

How can anyone even want to visit that hell hole? 

 

I think most of the negative (evil) things that are attributed to Islam are in fact local culture and not so much related to Islam. Muhammad's wife is supposed to have been an educated woman who in fact was a power behind the spread of the religion.

[Cricky]

19 hours ago, Uttara said:

Australia !  Probably one of the worst countries for the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

You're obviously not educated.

 

Yep had to be done, the Aussies stopped the undesirables. Bloody people smugglers killing innocent people.

 

The problem Australia has is that everyone wants to live there (don't bother replying that you do not want to),

Its a wonderful country, glad my kids are Aussie citizens and can move there one day. It would be a horrible place to live if all the illegal boat people kept coming.

[zeethai]

What about CHRISTIAN REFUGEES FROM PAKISTAN stranded in Thailand from more than 5 years? No relocation for them yet.

 

https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2018/12/pakistani-christian-asylum-seekers-in-thailand-ask-for-help/

Edited January 10, 2019 by zeethai
link

[spidermike007]

Rahaf is an adult, she obviously despises her nation's traditions, the second class citizen she has been forced to be, by being a woman, and the family, which seems to have heaped 18 years of misery upon her, due to their disappointment, that they did not have another son. It is all so inane, ridiculous, medieval, obnoxious, and behind the times. The only way anything is ever going to change over there, is if there is major pushback from it's own people. This is a good start. The outing of the gangster, serial killer MBS is another good start. Saudi is taking alot of black eyes lately, and they sure deserve it. Sharia has no place in the modern world, and the entire planet needs to resist this extremism, with all it's might.

 

Rahaf is entitled to a good life, does not need, nor want the abuse her family heaps upon her, and she has every right to deny her brother and father the chance to visit her, pressure her, and abuse her even more. These men are gorillas. They are half men, who are terribly insecure about their place in the world. Deny them. Kudos to Rahaf. I am sure she is a hero to millions of oppressed women around the world.

 

Only when this went viral, and Thailand appeared to be an oppressive Junta, without regard to human rights, did the biggest joke change his tune, and decide that the nation needs to be on the right side of this issue. This administration will never, ever do anything because it is the right thing to do. But, if there is enough pressure from outside, they will comply. 

[wendyfromoz]

Why Australia? This is between the Saudis and Thais.  Why doesn't Thailand take her in as she is there.  Australia isn't a dumping ground and this incident has nothing to do with them.

[mfd101]

20 hours ago, happy chappie said:

I can't see why she has to go to Australia.shes safe here and I don't know why ol big jokes laughing as it was him and his team that cocked it all up in the first place.

Haven't you just answered your own question?

[Proboscis]

16 hours ago, PJPom said:

It will be very amusing to see the reactions of the supporters of Islam on Australian television who declare it to be a female friendly religion.

Also in Australia criticism of Islam is a crime, will this make her unacceptable as she has openly rejected it ?.

Has she got friends or Relatives to help her in Australia and is she financially able to support herself, does she speak English, the barriers to establishing a happy future will be great.

After all these doubts I hope she succeeds, good luck young lady.

The way you put it is a bit like comparing some extremist Christian sect to the Methodists. The Wahabist version of Sunni Islam is far far away from the beliefs of most Muslims.

 

There is also a world of difference between slandering a religion and not adopting it, especially an extreme version of it. Besides in Australia, the government takes away citizenship from anyone involved in extremist violence connected to ISIS in places like Syria. And that is according to Australian law.

[OZJAY]

Why Australia? Why not Malaysia or Indonesia? It’s going to take my parter anywhere from 12-18 months before Australia grants her partner visa and we have a son together who is an Australian citizen. Makes my blood boil!

[Tchooptip]

17 hours ago, PJPom said:

It will be very amusing to see the reactions of the supporters of Islam on Australian television who declare it to be a female friendly religion.

Also in Australia criticism of Islam is a crime, will this make her unacceptable as she has openly rejected it ?.

Has she got friends or Relatives to help her in Australia and is she financially able to support herself, does she speak English, the barriers to establishing a happy future will be great.

After all these doubts I hope she succeeds, good luck young lady.

She speaks English fluently, she is from a fortunate family, will she be able to receive some help? It is another question. But is Australia some S-A dissidents are ready to welcome her.

[pegman]

I saw on the local Vancouver news tonite that Canada is prepared to take her in also. Hope we do to stick it to MBS. 

[alex8912]

1 hour ago, OZJAY said:

Why Australia? Why not Malaysia or Indonesia? It’s going to take my parter anywhere from 12-18 months before Australia grants her partner visa and we have a son together who is an Australian citizen. Makes my blood boil!

Malaysia or Indonesia are great safe havens for dropping Islam from an 18 year old Saudi females diet?? 

Are you completely insane? 

[alex8912]

4 hours ago, hobobo said:

Several European countries who in the past had supplied KSA with arms have cancelled all future orders. No doubt Trump sees this as a victory. And it seems like Trump invites and thrives being slagged.

Which countries?

[colinneil]

1 hour ago, OZJAY said:

Why Australia? Why not Malaysia or Indonesia? It’s going to take my parter anywhere from 12-18 months before Australia grants her partner visa and we have a son together who is an Australian citizen. Makes my blood boil!

Why make nasty comments regarding this poor girl? What has she done against you? Bugger all.

 

 

[Camelot]

New Zealand would also have provided a safe haven. She would find it welcoming and hospitable. It's not under the same pressure Australia is from asylum seekers and economic migrants.

[Odysseus123]

12 minutes ago, Camelot said:

New Zealand would also have provided a safe haven. She would find it welcoming and hospitable. It's not under the same pressure Australia is from asylum seekers and economic migrants.

Actually,Australia is under very little pressure at all from either category at the present time.

 

Tho' they have reduced the number of immigrants for this year the gov't will quickly bump it back up again next year.

[balo]

4 hours ago, wendyfromoz said:

Australia isn't a dumping ground and this incident has nothing to do with them.

Australia has been a dumping ground since British convicts arrived in the 18th century. 

 

 

[oldrunner]

DON'T FORGET THE HACKSAW NEEDED FOR SAUDI JUSTICE. THE AVERAGE CITIZEN HAS NO UNDERSTANDING THE SAUDI MENTALITY (OR LACK THEREOF). IF SHE IS ABLE TO SETTLE IN AUSTRALIA, I HOPE SHE IS WELL GUARDED.

[Cricky]

24 minutes ago, balo said:

Australia has been a dumping ground since British convicts arrived in the 18th century. 

 

 

The POMS were welcomed, help build the country to what we have today.

Thanks for your efforts, wish we had more.

 

Unfortunately, its the bottom of the barrel that we are getting these days.

[Odysseus123]

20 hours ago, VYCM said:

The POMS were welcomed, help build the country to what we have today.

Thanks for your efforts, wish we had more.

 

Unfortunately, its the bottom of the barrel that we are getting these days.

Not only the Poms-my old friend Antonio worked on farms at Cowra as a PoW-was shipped back to Italy where he was recruited-straight off the boat-to emigrate  back to Australia.He worked on the Snowy scheme-as did-Greeks,Yugoslavs and many DP's (displaced persons) set up his own concrete company and died a most honoured man.His story-amongst many others-is legion.

 

Sir John Monash-our most honoured General was the son of poor Jewish/Germanic emigrants.

 

The famed commander of the 2nd Australian Division was Charles  Rosenthal of Danish/Swedish parents.

 

The land of opportunity.

Edited January 11, 2019 by Odysseus123