A young Saudi woman has barricaded herself into a hotel in Thailand, saying that she has fled from abusive relatives and will be killed if sent back home. Her claims have caught the attention of human rights campaigners.
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, a Saudi national, says she intended to seek asylum in Australia but a representative from the Saudi Embassy seized her passport in Bangkok airport on Sunday.
She has currently barricaded herself in a hotel room in the airport’s transit zone, and is facing deportation to her home country. Thai immigration officials have indicated that she will be sent back on Monday.
In a video shared on social media, al-Qunun said that she will not leave the room until she has a meeting with UN officials.
Video from @rahaf84427714 just sent from her hotel room at the #Bangkok airport. She has barricaded herself in the room & says she will not leave until she is able to see #UNHCR. Why is #Thailand not letting @Refugees see her for refugee status determination? @hrw#SaveRahafpic.twitter.com/3lb2NDRsVG
— Phil Robertson (@Reaproy) 7 января 2019 г.
The photos taken in her room show that she has barricaded the door with a table and mattresses. (RT)