Saudi asylum girl faces UN channels before entering Australia: Dutton

Saudi Arabian asylum-seeker Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun will receive ‘no special treatment’ from Australia, says Peter Dutton.

Saudi woman Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, second from left, being escorted by a Thai immigration officer, right, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at Bangkok international airport. This photo was released by the Thai Immigration Bureau. Via AFP

Saudi Arabian asylum-seeker Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun — who believes her family will kill her for leaving the Islamic faith — will receive “no special treatment” from Australia, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says.

The 18-year-old planned to enter Australia on a tourist visa and apply for asylum but was stopped by Thai authorities at an airport in Bangkok on Monday.

A video grab of Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun via Twitter. Picture: AFP

The Homes Affairs Minister said in Brisbane today that Ms Alqunun would have her case processed by the United Nations, as is the usual circumstance.

“There is no special treatment in this case. It will be assessed by the UN,” Mr Dutton said.

“Nobody wants to see a young girl in distress and she has obviously now found a safe haven in Thailand and the United Nations will assess the veracity of the claims and what would happen next.

“Australia is a signatory to the convention and to the protocols, as you know, and we will work with the UN, but there is no special treatment in this case.”

The Australian understands Immigration Minister David Coleman is “very likely” to grant asylum to Ms Alqunun, subject to normal security-vetting processes, but will not allow her to fly ­direct to Australia to make her claim.

Thai immigration chief Surachet Hakparn speaks to journalists outside the Saudi embassy after a meeting with Saudi officials in Bangkok about the case. Picture: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

A government source said Ms Alqunun’s tourist visa had not been revoked, as claimed by her supporters, but confirmed she would be refused entry to Aus­tralia on the document because it did not reflect her intended ­reason for visiting Australia.

Ms Alqunun is under the care of the UNHCR in Bangkok where her refugee claims will be ­assessed.

Thai officials initially blocked UNHCR access to the woman and claimed to have seized her passport at the request of the Saudi government after being informed that she was a “runaway”.