Saudi Arabia renews rejection of interference in internal affairs
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, August 8, 2018
The Saudi cabinet renewed on Tuesday its rejection of any interference in its internal affairs, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The cabinet was referring to a recent rift with Canada over statements of the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on civil society activists who have been detained, urging Saudi authorities to release them immediately.
The kingdom asked on Monday the Canadian envoy to leave the country and recalled its ambassador from Canada. It puts on hold all new business and investment transactions with Canada.
The kingdom went further to a plan to shift Saudi university students studying in Canada to other countries such as the United States and suspended all flights by its national carrier to and from Canada.
The Minister of Media Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said in a statement that the cabinet renewed the kingdom's absolute rejection of the negative and surprising position of the Canadian government.
The cabinet highlighted that the Canadian remarks have not been based on any correct information or facts.
It clarified that those arrested have been detained by the competent authority, namely, the public prosecution, on charges of committing crimes.
The cabinet also said their detention is in accordance with regular procedures that guaranteed their legal rights, stressing commitment to international conventions, principles and norms.
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday said Canada isn't backing down from its position that leads to the diplomatic dispute.
"I will say Canada is very comfortable with our position. We are always going to speak up for human rights; we're always going to speak up for women's rights; and that is not going to change," she said.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)