36 Countries Criticized Saudi Arabia over Human Rights Violations

At least 36 countries have signed an open letter criticizing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record at the United Nations Human Right Council on Thursday.

Ariana News Agency-

The letter — the first collective rebuke of the kingdom — urged Saudi Arabia to release human rights activists jailed for “exercising their fundamental freedoms” and to “disclose all information available” about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“I call upon Saudi Arabia to ensure that all members of the public including human rights defenders and journalists can freely and fully exercise their right to freedom of expression and association including online and without fear of reprisals,” Iceland’s ambassador Harald Aspelund said during the session in Geneva.

He called for the release of women rights defenders Loujain al-Hathloul, Hatoon al-Fassi and Samar Badawi and others jailed after campaigning for human rights in the country.

At least 11 women’s rights activists have been arrested since last May, according to rights groups, and are believed to be facing counterterror charges punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

“Investigations into the killing [of Jamal Khashoggi] must be independent and transparent,” Aspelund added.

The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordered Khashoggi’s killing. Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor his father, King Salman, knew of the operation to target the journalist.

“Saudi Arabia will go and implement all necessary rules and investigate deeply in order to achieve results. And to bring to justice those who are responsible for this heinous crime, and they will be put before courts,” bin Salman said in late October.