- Title: Canada appeals for German backing amid Saudi rights row
- Date: 27th August 2018
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (AUGUST 27, 2018) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CHRYSTIA FREELAND AND HER GERMAN COUNTERPART HEIKO (pron.: HI-koh) MAAS ARRIVING FOR GERMAN AMBASSADORS' CONFERENCE AT FOREIGN MINISTRY MAAS SEATED / FREELAND PEOPLE SEATED IN AUDIENCE FREELAND WALKING UP TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, CHRYSTIA FREELAND, SAYING: "That is why Canada will always stand up for human rights around the world, very much including women's rights, even when we are told to mind our own business or that matters such as these should only be discussed in private between leaders behind closed doors, and even when speaking up brings consequences. We count on and hope for Germany's support." AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, CHRYSTIA FREELAND, SAYING: "One reason Canadians are broadly supportive of our multi-cultural country and our high levels of immigration is that they are confident we control our own borders, that it is our own country's choice who becomes a new Canadian. So we are very sympathetic to the acute challenge Germany and indeed all of Europe has faced as a result of the Syrian refugee crisis." APPLAUSE FREELAND LEAVING STAGE
- Embargoed: 10th September 2018 12:15
- Keywords: Canada Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland human rights Saudi Arabia appeal
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0018UYPTMV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The foreign minister of Canada, which is embroiled in a diplomatic row with Saudi Arabia, called for German support on Monday (August 27) in Ottawa's campaign to promote human rights around the world.
The German government, trying to repair its own strained relationship with Riyadh, has been silent on the spat between Canada and Saudi Arabia, drawing criticism from some politicians and rights groups.
Chrystia Freeland, speaking at an annual gathering of German ambassadors in Berlin, did not specifically mention Saudi Arabia in her address.
However, she touched indirectly on the row which was triggered by her tweet demanding the release of jailed human rights activists in the kingdom.
In response, Riyadh has frozen new trade with Canada, expelled the Canadian ambassador and ended state-backed educational and medical programmes in Canada.
Freeland said Canada would always stand up for human rights "even when we are told to mind our own business ... and even when speaking up brings consequences".
She added: "We count on and hope for Germany's support." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None