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Human Rights Issues.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2010

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Ceisteanna (387)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

510 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if he will raise this case through diplomatic and European channels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12974/10].

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have recently been made aware of the case raised by the Deputy through our Embassy in Riyadh. It appears that the young woman involved has dual Indian-Canadian citizenship. She travelled to Saudi Arabia two years ago with a temporary holiday visa, sponsored by her father who is an Indian citizen resident in Saudi Arabia. Under Saudi law, the sponsor's permission is required for any foreigner who wishes to obtain an exit visa in order to leave Saudi Arabia. As I understand it, the twenty four year old's father is now refusing to grant her permission to leave the country and has confiscated both of her passports. Under Saudi law, a father maintains full legal control over the daughters in his family until that control is passed on to a husband upon marriage (reports locally indicate that there is a family dispute in relation to Ms. Quazi's marriage plans). Unfortunately it is for the Saudi authorities to issue the necessary exit visa for her to leave the country.

As the young person travelled on her Indian passport, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh has primary responsibility to assist her. I understand that she has also been in contact with the Canadian Embassy and Human Rights Watch has taken up her case with the Canadian authorities. We will continue to monitor any progress made on this case through our Embassy.

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