Introduction
Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been accused of numerous human rights abuses in recent years, including the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the detention of women’s rights activists, and the ongoing war in Yemen. Despite these accusations, the Saudi government has faced little legal action or international sanctions for their actions. This article will explore the potential for legal action and international sanctions to hold KSA accountable for its human rights abuses.
Legal Action
Legal action is one way to hold KSA accountable for human rights abuses. In the case of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish authorities have already brought charges against 20 Saudi nationals for their involvement in the killing. However, legal action in KSA has been lacking. The Saudi government conducted its own investigation into the murder, but it has been criticized for being biased and not transparent. Furthermore, the trial of the accused has been held in secret, with no independent observers allowed to attend.
International legal action is also an option. The United Nations (UN) could establish a special rapporteur to investigate human rights abuses in KSA. The UN has already taken some steps to hold KSA accountable, such as establishing a group of experts to investigate the murder of Khashoggi. However, the UN’s ability to hold KSA accountable is limited by the fact that the country is a member of the Security Council, which gives it veto power over any action taken by the UN.
Another avenue for legal action is through the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has the authority to investigate and prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. However, KSA is not a member of the ICC, which limits the court’s jurisdiction over the country. Nevertheless, the ICC could potentially investigate KSA for its actions in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition has been accused of war crimes.
International Sanctions
International sanctions are another way to hold KSA accountable for human rights abuses. The United States (US) has already imposed some sanctions on individuals involved in the murder of Khashoggi. However, broader sanctions have been opposed by the Trump administration, which has prioritized the US-Saudi relationship over human rights concerns. The Biden administration has taken a different approach, imposing sanctions on individuals involved in the Khashoggi murder and the detention of women’s rights activists.
The European Union (EU) has also imposed sanctions on individuals involved in the Khashoggi murder and the detention of women’s rights activists. However, the EU has been criticized for not taking stronger action against KSA, given the severity of the human rights abuses.
There is also the potential for the United Nations to impose sanctions on KSA. However, as a member of the Security Council, KSA has veto power over any action taken by the UN. Nevertheless, there have been calls for the UN to impose sanctions on KSA, particularly in relation to the war in Yemen.
Examples of Human Rights Abuses
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi is perhaps the most well-known example of KSA’s human rights abuses. Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the government, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi government initially denied any involvement in the murder, but later admitted that Khashoggi had been killed by Saudi operatives.
The detention of women’s rights activists is another example of KSA’s human rights abuses. In May 2018, several women’s rights activists were arrested, including Loujain al-Hathloul, who had campaigned for the right of women to drive in KSA. The women were held in detention for months without charge and subjected to torture and other forms of abuse. While some of the women have since been released, others remain in detention.
In conclusion, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is concerning and needs to be addressed through legal action and international sanctions. The KSA has a long history of violating human rights, including the persecution of political dissidents, discrimination against women, and the use of torture and capital punishment.
Despite international pressure and condemnation, the KSA continues to carry out these human rights abuses, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the basic human rights of its citizens. The international community must take action to hold the KSA accountable for these actions and prevent further violations of human rights.
The use of legal action and international sanctions can be an effective means of addressing these human rights abuses. By imposing economic and diplomatic consequences, the international community can pressure the KSA to change its behavior and improve its human rights record.
In recent years, there have been examples of successful legal action and international sanctions against the KSA, such as the US Magnitsky Act and the German ban on arms exports to the KSA. These actions demonstrate that the international community can take concrete steps to hold the KSA accountable for its human rights abuses.
However, there is still much work to be done. More countries must follow the lead of those that have taken action and impose their own legal and economic consequences on the KSA. The KSA must also be held accountable for its actions on the international stage, including through the United Nations and other international organizations.
The Washington Center for Human Rights will continue to advocate for the rights of individuals in the KSA and push for legal action and international sanctions to hold the KSA accountable for its human rights abuses. It is only through continued pressure and action from the international community that we can hope to see an improvement in the human rights situation in the KSA.