Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador, cuts trade ties

Legend, Samar Badawi, pictured with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, receiving the International Women of Courage Award in 2012.

Saudi Arabia has accused Canada of “interference” in the kingdom's internal affairs, expelling the country's ambassador and freezing all trade between the two countries.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Canada's decision last week calling for the release of detained civilians and women's rights activists was a violation of Saudi sovereignty.

Among those arrested and whose release Canada has requested is Samar Badawi, a Saudi human rights activist who is also an American citizen.

Canada said it was still awaiting clarification on the Saudi statement, but stressed that Canada would “always uphold the protection of human rights, particularly women's rights, and freedom of expression in the world,” declared the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marie-Pier Baril. .

Robert Butler

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