First Critical Statement Against Saudi Arabia at the UN Human Rights Council

More than 30 countries, including all members of the European Union, Canada, and Australia, issued a statement on Thursday, March 7, criticizing the Saudi government and calling for the release of 10 civil activists and cooperation with UN investigations into the death of Jamal Khashoggi, which occurred at its consulate in Istanbul. According to Reuters, this is the first criticism from the UN Human Rights Council against the Saudi government since the establishment of this body in 2006, coinciding with increasing international concerns about the violation of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens in that country. A representative from one of the EU member states told Reuters, "Unity in this matter is a victory for the EU." This unprecedented joint statement, which the U.S. government did not sign, was read by Harald Splund, the representative of Iceland at the UN headquarters in Geneva. So far, Saudi Arabia has not reacted to this critical statement. Mr. Splund stated during the reading of part of this statement: "We are particularly concerned about the use of anti-terrorism laws and other security measures against individuals who peacefully seek to enjoy their rights and freedoms." The statement further mentions that "in the reform process that Saudi Arabia is pursuing, civil activists can and should participate." The joint statement also called for the release of ten women’s rights activists imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Activists and critics of the Saudi government claim that these imprisoned women, including two who fought for the right to drive, have been tortured in various ways, including electric shocks, flogging, and sexual abuse. The EU and other signatories of this statement condemned the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the strongest possible terms and emphasized that the Saudi government has admitted he was killed at its consulate in Istanbul. Another part of this statement states, "The manner of Jamal Khashoggi's murder underscores the necessity of protecting the lives of journalists and the right to free expression worldwide, and investigations into his death must be conducted independently, impartially, and transparently." This statement also urged the Saudi government to cooperate with investigations by Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial and unlawful killings. Ms. Callamard told Reuters, "This is an important step in ensuring accountability. The international community has a shared responsibility to emphasize the violations of human rights in a country that has so far managed to evade responsibility and accountability in this regard." She welcomed the statement's emphasis on the necessity of Saudi cooperation with her investigations, noting that the country has not responded to her requests for a meeting. The UN Special Rapporteur added that Turkish government officials promised her during her visit to the country last month that they would provide police and forensic evidence, but they have not done so yet. Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also called on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to release women’s rights activists who have been detained and tortured on charges of "harming the interests of the country." A senior Saudi prosecutor told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper last week that the prosecution has reviewed media reports regarding the torture of these individuals but found no evidence to support it. He stated that these reports are "lies."