Move FM Global News

TORONTO, Canada – Rahaf Mohammed, an 18-year-old Saudi teenager who fled from her family and sought refuge in Canada states that fleeing was worth the risk as she could now live an independent life.

According to the BBC, Rahaf locked herself in a Bangkok hotel room early this month and refused to fly back home claiming that her family abused her. She feared the worst would have happened if she returned back home.

Talking to tlocal media, Rahaf alleged that Saudi girls are handled as objects and slaves. She added that she sought to inform other people about her tale and what happens to other Saudi girls.

Rahaf was with her circle of relatives on a trip to Kuwait when she fled and took a flight to the Thai capital. She says she secured an Australian visa to fly to Australia when a Saudi diplomat met her flight in Bangkok and seized her passport. This left her stranded.

While in her airport hotel room, Rahaf took to social media and sent tweets pleading for help. Human Rights Watch and several journalists picked up her case and the UN reviewed her case for asylum.

Rahaf says that while it may take some time to adjust to the Canadian weather, she feels safe to be in Canada adding that it is a country that respects human rights.