Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador to Sweden, accusing it of flagrant interference in its internal affairs as the rift between the two countries deepens in the wake of Stockholm cutting military ties.
Riyadh said the move Wednesday was in response to criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstroem, which it said was “harmful to the kingdom.”
Her remarks, which Riyadh did not identify, were “flagrant interference in internal affairs, which is not accepted in international conventions.”
The foreign ministry added that because Wallstroem’s comments do not “go well with amicable relations between countries, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador from Sweden”.
Swedish foreign ministry spokesman Erik Boman said earlier Wednesday that “diplomatic relations are not broken, but Saudi Arabia’s ambassador has been recalled.”
The move comes amid a deepening rift in which Sweden cancelled a controversial military cooperation deal after Saudi Arabia prevented Wallstroem Monday from making a speech on human rights at the Arab League.
Wallstroem had been invited to the Cairo meeting in praise of her government’s decision in October to recognise a Palestinian state.
Her speech, published by the Swedish foreign ministry, mentioned neither Saudi Arabia nor her feminist foreign policy agenda, but stressed women’s and human rights.
“Freedom of association, assembly, religion and expression are not only fundamental rights and important tools in the creation of vibrant societies,” it read, noting that “women’s rights do not only benefit women, but society as a whole.”
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive.
The sexes are strictly segregated, women are required to dress in black from head to toe when outside the home and also still need permission from a male guardian to work and to marry.
Wallstroem said “the explanation we have been given is that Sweden has highlighted the situation for democracy and human rights and that is why they do not want me to speak.”
She has rarely commented on Saudi Arabia but, in January, criticised the kingdom’s treatment of blogger Raef Badawi, who had been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam.
“One must protest against what are nearly medieval methods” of punishment, Wallstroem told TT.