Seeking asylum from Saudi Arabia

[ali17]

Hi,

I'm 24 old man from Saudi Arabia and i have been arrested with my 2 brothers one day because we talked in a coffee shop about the government , we said that we have a different opinions from the one that the government have ! they kept us on hold in jail for days without even a phone call or a lawyer !! and they abused us while we were there, luckily my father has some connections and he used it to get us out temporary, and now we are thinking of going to Canada and ask for asylum fearing that they will arrest us once again,

so what do you guys think ? are we eligible for asylum in Canada in this case ?

thank you in advance ,,

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi,

I'm 24 old man from Saudi Arabia and i have been arrested with my 2 brothers one day because we talked in a coffee shop about the government , we said that we have a different opinions from the one that the government have ! they kept us on hold in jail for days without even a phone call or a lawyer !! and they abused us while we were there, luckily my father has some connections and he used it to get us out temporary, and now we are thinking of going to Canada and ask for asylum fearing that they will arrest us once again,

so what do you guys think ? are we eligible for asylum in Canada in this case ?

thank you in advance ,,

Before you can even think about claiming asylum in Canada, you would first need to get a TRV (visitor visa) approved to travel here. Only once TRV is approved and you arrived in Canada, could you then claim asylum.

However based on what you've stated, an asylum claim would have practically zero chance of succeeding.

 

[ali17]

Before you can even think about claiming asylum in Canada, you would first need to get a TRV (visitor visa) approved to travel here. Only once TRV is approved and you arrived in Canada, could you then claim asylum.

However based on what you've stated, an asylum claim would have practically zero chance of succeeding.

why you think its zero chance if my life is in danger and i may be in prison for life just because of my opinion ??

 

[Rob_TO]

why you think its zero chance if my life is in danger and i may be in prison for life just because of my opinion ??

Just my guess based on the burden of proof on others trying to claim asylum. Going to jail and released after a few days, in itself is probably not enough to be considered a true refugee. Of course every case is unique.

As I said though, you first need to worry about getting a TRV to Canada before you can even think of claiming asylum here.

 

[scylla]

First step is to obtain an approved TRV (tourist visa) to Canada. To be approved, you will need to demonstrate you have strong ties to your home country and have no plans on remaining long term. Once you arrive in Canada, you can claim asylum. To be successful, you will need to have proof that you are being persecuted for your views (e.g. arrest records, hospitalization records showing your injuries, proof that you have been speaking out against your government, etc.)

If you cannot obtain a TRV, you would need to move to a different country and once there, be formally identified as a refugee by UNHCR and then selected for resettlement in Canada.

 

[ali17]

First step is to obtain an approved TRV (tourist visa) to Canada. To be approved, you will need to demonstrate you have strong ties to your home country and have no plans on remaining long term. Once you arrive in Canada, you can claim asylum. To be successful, you will need to have proof that you are being persecuted for your views (e.g. arrest records, hospitalization records showing your injuries, proof that you have been speaking out against your government, etc.)

If you cannot obtain a TRV, you would need to move to a different country and once there, be formally identified as a refugee by UNHCR and then selected for resettlement in Canada.

I already got TRV ! and i have a proof that i was in jail for speaking out against the government ( arrest records ) from the police station stating that we were there just because we spoke against the government, and of course for them its a big crime ! because there is no human right at all as you know

 

[ali17]

Just my guess based on the burden of proof on others trying to claim asylum. Going to jail and released after a few days, in itself is probably not enough to be considered a true refugee. Of course every case is unique.

As I said though, you first need to worry about getting a TRV to Canada before you can even think of claiming asylum here.

i already have TRV, and i have an arrest record that i was arrested just for saying something against the government !

 

[canuck78]

Unfortunately one arrest may not be enough if you don't have any other proof that you have been opposing the government. You need more proof of your opposition activities.

 

[scylla]

i already have TRV, and i have an arrest record that i was arrested just for saying something against the government !

I agree that a single arrest record isn't remotely enough to launch a successful refugee application in Canada. If you suffered physical abuse while in custody, you'll need to provide evidence of that (do you have photos? hospitalization or doctor's records?). Also, you'll want to show proof of the statements you've made against the government. Have you published any articles against the government or do you post regularly online or are there newspaper articles about you or are you an active member of an anti-government organization?

 

[asylum_seeker]

Hi,

I'm 24 old man from Saudi Arabia and i have been arrested with my 2 brothers one day because we talked in a coffee shop about the government , we said that we have a different opinions from the one that the government have ! they kept us on hold in jail for days without even a phone call or a lawyer !! and they abused us while we were there, luckily my father has some connections and he used it to get us out temporary, and now we are thinking of going to Canada and ask for asylum fearing that they will arrest us once again,

so what do you guys think ? are we eligible for asylum in Canada in this case ?

thank you in advance ,,

You have to show an established pattern of political opposition and activism in this regard, and be able to demonstrate future risk of persecution on this ground.

The bad news.. people usually get barred from having traveling privileges by your government if they were suspected of political opposition without necessarily arresting them, so you will have to explain how you were able to travel out of Saudi.

 

[Buletruck]

Have to agree with everyone else. The chances of a successful claim are pretty limited based on a one time encounter with the police over political beliefs.

 

[asylum_seeker]

You have to show an established pattern of political opposition and activism in this regard, and be able to demonstrate future risk of persecution on this ground.

The bad news.. people usually get barred from having traveling privileges by your government if they were suspected of political opposition without necessarily arresting them, so you will have to explain how you were able to travel out of Saudi.

I am retracting my previous reply above. It has been clear to me the Saudi gov't is now rearresting prior political offenders who were conditionally released and putting them through trial, but they seem to be prioritizing cases. There are documented cases such as people who formed student groups and the case of Mohammed Saleh Al-Otaibi (detained while attempting to flee to Norway).
From reading your case, I assume you would be a low priority however in light of these developments you may have a case to go forward with asylum if you have fear your case would be reopened and face going to trial.