UN, activists disappointed by US response to Saudi Arabia

The report released last Friday concluded that Prince bin Salman was likely to have approved Khashoggi’s assassination in October 2018. The statement follows newly announced Washington sanctions against several Saudi figures as punishment for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. although there were no sanctions against the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Agnès Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on arbitrary killings and extrajudicial killings, said the report’s findings were a “significant demonstration” of Washington’s renewed commitment to transparency.

“On the other hand, I was disappointed. Above all, speaking of facts, the report offered nothing new. It was circumstance analysis and summary judgment. “I was looking forward to seeing more material evidence that is thought to exist but has not been declassified,” said Ms Callamard. She added that it is very dangerous that Washington has not imposed sanctions on the Saudi crown prince. “In my opinion it is very problematic, if not dangerous to say that someone is guilty and then say ‘we will not do anything about it, please continue as if we have not said anything,'” Ms Callamard said.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of freedom of expression and opinion, Irene Khan, had a similar reaction: “I am glad that the report was published, but I am very disappointed, really very disappointed in terms of accountability. The US has not seen fit to take stronger action in this regard. “They have declared sanctions in response to the Khashoggi case and I hope they will implement them,” Khan said. Saudi Arabia has categorically rejected the report’s conclusions. The State Department responded to questions from reporters by emphasizing the strategic interests the US shares with Saudi Arabia.

The United States is focused on Saudi Arabia’s “future behavior” and expects Riyadh to improve its human rights record, a State Department spokesman said Monday. The department reiterated the need for the US to continue to have relations with Saudi Arabia. “We have made it very clear that we will continue to treat the murder of Jamal Khashoggi as unacceptable behavior. At the same time, it is important for American interests, as we emphasize the need for continued progress toward reform (by the Saudis), to ensure that this important partnership remains on a solid footing and continues to advance our common goals in the East. Medium, “said State Department spokeswoman Ned Price.

The United States released a report on Friday stating that the Saudi Crown Prince had approved in 2018 an operation to capture or kill the journalist. As a result the US imposed sanctions against some individuals and organisms. Human rights groups and others have criticized the lack of sanctions against Prince bin Salman, raising questions about the seriousness of President Biden’s administration in pledging to prioritize respect for human rights in relations with other countries. others.

Mohamed bin Salman, 35, the country’s de facto ruler, has denied any role in the killing of the journalist, for which Saudi authorities sentenced eight people to prison. The prince has said that the responsibility falls on him that this act was carried out while he is in charge of the country. “We are focused on the behavior of the Saudis in the future, so today’s actions are not an interruption, but a re-calibration” in Washington-Riyadh relations, spokesman Ned Price told a news conference. “We are trying to focus on the problems in the system that underlie the brutal assassination of Jamal Khashoggi,” Price said.

The United States welcomed the recent release of two human rights activists in Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said, but stressed that Riyadh should do more and lift the travel ban on activists. “We urge Saudi Arabia to take further steps by lifting the travel ban on released activists, to overturn the remaining sentences and to resolve other issues with women rights and other rights activists.” he said. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Monday that the United States reserves the right to impose sanctions on Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen with the right of permanent residence in the United States, was an opinion journalist for the Washington Post who had written several highly critical articles on Prince bin Salman’s policies. After he was killed, a team of operatives known to be linked to Prince bin Salman dismembered his body at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. On Friday, the US disbanded the Rapid Intervention Force, a Saudi royal guard unit that has been engaged before. in operations against dissidents. Washington now has 76 other Saudis on its list of people barred from obtaining US visas.

Mr Price said he could not make public the new names on the list and declined to say whether Prince bin Salman was among them. The United States has called on Saudi Arabia to disband the Rapid Reaction Force, Price added.

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