'Let Her In': Topless Protesters Rally for Saudi Asylum Seeker Rahaf al-Qunun
A group of topless women protested in Martin Place, Sydney, on Thursday, January 10, to demand that the Australian government grant asylum to Rahaf al-Qunun, who fled her family out of fear they would kill her for renouncing Islam.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs confirmed on Wednesday that it was considering al-Qunun’s case, the ABC reported.
In this video, shared to Facebook by activist group Secret Sisterhood, protesters can be seen holding signs that read, “Women brave and free”, “Rahaf sisterhood hero”, “All women free + safe” and “Let her in”.
“We’re here to support her and we want to bring her to Australia,” one of the protesters says in the video.
Al-Qunun arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Kuwait on Saturday, and planned to continue to Australia.
However, after being detained by Thai authorities, she refused to board a flight back to Kuwait. The 18-year-old student garnered worldwide attention with her posts on social media documenting her experience fleeing her family.
“My life is at stake and I am now in real danger if I am forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia,” she said in one Twitter post.
At the time of publication, al-Qunun was in the care of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees as her bid for refugee status awaited a response. Credit: Secret Sisterhood
