Canada PM says in talks with Saudi Arabia amid human rights spat

Canada's prime minister has said his government is engaged in talks with Saudi Arabia amid a diplomatic dispute over Ottawa's condemnation of the kingdom's human rights record.

Justin Trudeau made the remarks on Thursday, again criticising Riyadh over the potential death penalty against a female rights activist, Canadian outlet Global News  reported.

"We continue to engage diplomatically with Saudi Arabia, I think it’s important to have positive relationships with countries around the world," Trudeau said.

"At the same time, we have expressed our concern with the sentence handed down by Saudi Arabia, our concern for defending human rights and our shared values all around the world," he added.

Human rights groups say Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five human rights activists, including, for the first time, a woman.

The five stand accused of inciting mass protests in mainly Shia areas of the Sunni-ruled kingdom's oil-rich Eastern Province.

Human rights groups say that the execution threat is a calculated bid to stifle dissent.

"Canada will continue to stand up strongly for human rights," Trudeau said.

Two weeks ago Canada sparked fury in Riyadh by calling for the immediate release of detained activists, including award-winning women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi.

Saudi Arabia froze all new trade and investments, moved to pull out thousands of Saudi students from Canadian universities and pledged to stop all medical treatment programmes in Canada.

State-owned airline Saudia also suspended flights to Toronto.

In the end the Saudis gave their students an extension until September 22, according to several universities.