Giving Badawi citizenship, as well, would increase Canada’s leverage, as officials would be able to formally demand the return of a citizen and he would be granted access to consular services in Saudi Arabia. Canadian officials continue to raise Badawi’s case in talks with Saudi Arabia’s government at the highest levels, Alexander Cohen, the press secretary for Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino, told DW. “Since me and my children are Canadian, we have the Canadian citizenship and are living here, the citizenship gives me hope in terms of a family reunification,” Haidar said. However, Saudi Arabia doesn’t recognize dual citizenship and would have to approve a passport exchange for Badawi, who received the DW Freedom of Speech award in 2015. Furthermore, the administration of President Joe Biden in the United States appears more willing to apply pressure to the government of Saudi Arabia than Donald Trump’s had.

Source: Egypt Independent March 26, 2021 13:33 UTC