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Saudi students in Canada to be relocated to other countries after diplomatic rift
In apparent escalation of a rift between Saudi Arabia and Canada on Monday evening, Riyadh suspended scholarships for Saudi students in Canada and said it would relocate thousands of students studying there to other countries, state media reported, citing an Education Ministry official.
The move followed the Kingdom's announcement yesterday that it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists.
KSA gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as “interference” in its internal affairs.
The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, came after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland was quoted by Reuters as saying to reporters on Monday that "it would be a shame for those students if they are deprived of the opportunity to study here."
According to the Toronto Star, there are about 16,000 Saudi students studying in Canada.
Freeland late on Monday also tweeted an official statement saying that Canada would "continue to advocate for human rights and for the brave women and men who push for these fundamental rights around the world."
"Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women’s rights and freedom of expression around the world. We will never hesitate to promote these values and we believe that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy," the press release read.
"We are deeply concerned that Saudi Arabia has expelled Canada’s ambassador in response to Canadian statements in defence of human rights activists detained in the kingdom. The Embassy of Canada to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, continues its regular operations, including consular services," the statement added.
Comments (42) Closed
Why they think its easier for students and its the only way?
“When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.”
― Dale Carnegie
looks like MBS is trying hard to please his American masters and going over board in it.
Let there be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Bravo!! these so called human rights champions should stop interfering in other's internal business.
This Saudi gesture appears to be controlled by Trump!! Canadians are normally peaceful and likeable people, but Saudis and Americans are not!
What a Vague Slogan of Humans Rights Violations adopted by the Canada in specific and Europe in general!!!!!! Canada doesn't take notice of the Atrocities and Cruelties of Israeli foeces which the innocent women and children in Palestine are facing. Shame for Canada.
Finally someone stood up to this misogynist and racist regime.
What a joke!! Canada should take notice of the ATROCITIES of Israeli forces which the INNOCENT Palestinian women and children are facing. Shame for Canada!!!!
The Ambassador should be replaced by Canada
Meaning US. Trump will play with lives to make money from even education. US foreign student enrolment has been declining.
What a shamefull over reaction of young defacto king. There is little chances of open society in Kingdom.
Well done Saudi Arabia. No one should interfere in the personal matters of other countries
I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump had something to do with it. Saudi’s and UAE has become Donald trumps minions.
Trump like attitude, what else do you expect from egoistic KSA and MBS.
Canadian government press release ""Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women’s rights and freedom of expression around the world. We will never hesitate to promote these values and we believe that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy," Such kind of statements is only for certain countries, either Muslim or the countries who do not follow their dictation. We do not hear condemnation of Israel or India, who are committing GENOCIDE in Palestine or Kashmir and for that matter Saudi Arabia responsible for killing of thousands of poor Yemenis.
Drop in the bucket for Canada. Saudi will lose more in the long run with the loss of opportunities for higher education and possible good jobs for Saudi students.
Maybe Trump advised the Saudis to do it.
Who is he to decide about the lives of 16000 students? A very egoistic step by Saudia Arabia
No knowledge, no diplomacy..?!
Thats a very hard line. How would you relocate 16000 students to other universities?
Western countries should stop lecturing everyone else and mind their own business. Why do they assume that all their norms, cultural benchmarks and social practices are superior to everyone else's and the whole world shoudl be obliged to adopt them ?
So Saudi Arabia is capable of giving a befitting responsibility new, wish they would have given a similar response to Canada when Canada defended Israeli war crimes.
Sanity should prevail in this case. Crazy head is not going to solve this matter.
Good job Canada. Dictatorship in Saudi Arabia must end.
I don't know where the KSA is headed.
Saudi "students". Is that some sort of oxymoron? The Saudis princes abroad are just there for a fun time. I doubt they actually learn anything useful.
Well done Canada
Cant take criticism, shows height of arrogance
Does Canada care, I dont think so.
These Saudis would bow down to 'QUEEN' as soon as she orders; one would hear the differences mend between Saudis and Canadians!
Its anyone but Saudi Arabia s loss
Ask the Canadian government what about the Palestine human rights, or, caving into US demands to boycott a country that has followed all obligations. .
Wrong move, most Universities will not accept the courses they have completed completely. Some of these students would be in their final year and they would have to wait another 2-3 years to finish their Bachelors.
SA should have stopped new students from going to Canada, shouldn't have harmed already studying students in Canada.
Well done Canada
Canada is wrong to lecture Saudi Arabia on human rights, when Canada has a history of abusing native people who lived there for thousands of years before white settlers conquered the land by force. Canada threw Japanese Canadians in camps in Second World War and Canada deported shiploads of Sikh workers who had gone there over a hundred years back. Even today, minorities are discriminated against in jobs, housing and every walk of life. Even today, thousands of native women have been abused and murdered without getting justice. So Canada should worry about its own abuse of human rights, instead of lecturing other countries. Saudi decision is correct.
Canada doesn't have any right to interfere in Saudi internal affairs, period. Saudi actions against Canada are legitimate.
sheer arrogance of KSA
Many Saudi students are a liability on the Canadian education system, please relocate them to Saudia.
Canada and Saudi Arabia can never get along. Saudi Arabia has always been violating human rights but it never came to the surface. Canada on the other hand is running be a PM who is a very humane person.
Why take out political riff between Canada and Saudi Arabia on the backs of Saudi students?
They (the students) deserve a great democratic education.
Gordon D. Walker Canada
what an unwise step by KSA to hurt her own students?