Rightful and Strong Stance for Human Rights

The sudden and unexpected diplomatic crisis between Canada and Saudi Arabia has left the world wondering on the real reason for the spat with questions being raised on the bilateral economic relations with fate of thousands of Saudi students pursuing education at Canadian universities under uncertain terms. With Saudi Arabia having announced shifting of its patients to other countries, the two countries seem to at a no point of return.
It all started with a tweet by Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and now the feud between Saudi Arabia and Canada has escalated into one the biggest diplomatic rifts in years. Since then, Saudi Arabia has kicked out the Canadian ambassador; recalled its ambassador from Canada; has suspended new trade and investments with Canada; has canceled direct flights to Toronto by Saudi state airline.

What was so offensive in the tweet for the Saudi Arabia to react in such a manner? The tweet by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted Canada’s concern on human rights issue in Saudi Arabia and had a specific mention of Samar Badawi. Samar Badawi is an acclaimed activist and she is also the sister of Raid Badawi, a blogger who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia since 2012 and has been subjected to public flogging. Raif Badwai’s wife and their three kids managed to flee and have been in Quebec since 2015 and have since become Canadian citizens. Well, a glance at the tweet doesn’t make it appear offensive or offending and still the conservative kingdom didn’t take the tweet lightly or as a fair comment on human rights. It was followed by tweets from foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia that criticized Canada for its “ negative and surprising attitude” and called Canada’s position as “overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs”. It was followed by a statement from the Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir. “Canada has made a mistake and needs to fix it. The ball is in Canada’s court.”
Canada certainly didn’t make any mistake. Canada is known as a nation that provides right to live free of any fear. Natives are expected to be free of discrimination that is based on grounds such as race, sex, religion or disability. Canada has had a long history of standing up for human rights internationally.
Canada has been home to many refugees who have faced any such discrimination at their home country and when Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland raised the matter of Badawi. However, Saudi Arabia reacted the way it is known for. Saudi Arabia has been flagged as one of the violators of human rights by groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. In addition Saudi Arabia has been hypersensitive to criticism of human rights. Earlier in 2015 Sweden criticized the kingdom’s human rights record, and as a result, Saudi Arabia took harsh diplomatic measures and expelled Sweden’s ambassador. However, the reaction towards Canada this time seems to be more severe. Perhaps the kingdom wants to make an example of Canada and send a message internationally that Saudi Arabia will treat nations who interfere in domestic affairs ruthlessly.
Canada is finding itself isolated as none of its allies has spoken out publicly in its defence, perhaps as a fear of getting some harsh response and treatment from Saudi Arabia. Virtually isolated, Canada has made it clear that it will not apologize for standing up for women’s rights and Canada should speak strongly and clearly on questions of human rights as its has being doing always. However, the diplomatic standoff of such a nature is not good for both the countries. With both sides sticking to their stance, there is complete uncertainty on what the next step these nations would take to restore normalcy.