VANCOUVER—A group of detained women’s rights activists, including former UBC student Loujain Al-Hathloul, are now facing charges in Saudi court, prompting renewed calls for Canada to pull out of an arms deal with the Middle Eastern nation. Former UBC student Loujain Al-Hathloul has been detained in Saudi Arabia for her work as a women's rights activist, amplifying calls for Canada to pull out of an arms deal with the country. ( Cherise Seucharan / Star Vancouver )“When you look the things an activist does it’s’ talking to media and fighting for women’s rights,” she said. Al-Hathloul had been an outspoken women’s rights advocate for many years, and is known for posting videos online of herself driving, in protest of Saudi Arabia’s ban on driving for women. Article Continued BelowThe new charges have has also prompted new calls for Canada to end participation in the Saudi arms deal, a $15-billion contract Canada signed in 2016 to provide armed vehicles to Saudi Arabia.

Source: thestar March 17, 2019 12:56 UTC