The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khasoggi sent shockwaves across the world. He was murdered in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. His death was brutal, the act premeditated, and the implications far-reaching. Furthermore, the lack of justice for the Jamal murder case remains deeply concerning. There is still a question arising from Saudi authorities when they announced the closure of Jamal’s case.
Even though many countries have called for it, there’s still no clear and unbiased investigation into what happened. The way Saudi Arabia has handled the situation hasn’t been open or trustworthy.
Saudi Arabia’s closed trial and its different results
The Saudi Government closed the case in 2019 convicting 8 people in the secret trial. The trial was not open to the public and also had insufficient information. This announcement raises the voice of many people about how the Saudi Government manages this case. This is because the trial was concealed from the public that raises many unanswered questions.
According to a UN expert on unlawful killings, this murder was planned. Agnès Callamard, stated in a report that Khashoggi’s murder was pre planned and that the Saudi government was responsible for it.
Since Khashoggi’s murder, the Saudi government, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has stepped up its efforts to silence those who disagree with it. This repression of Saudi Governments has become more severe and widespread with the passage of time. Data also reveal that the number of people who spoke against the Government increase day by day. The Saudi Government also took strict action for all of those who are in support of Jamal and want justice. For example, in July 2023, the authorities sentenced a retired teacher to death because he criticized government policies on social media.
Furthermore, different communities from the international community also showed severe response to the aftermath of Khashoggi’s murder. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, points out that instead of advocating for justice and accountability, many countries have chosen to roll out the red carpet for Saudi Arabia’s leaders. Diplomatic and economic interests appear to have taken precedence over human rights. This lack of pressure from the international community has allowed Saudi Arabia to continue its repression with relative impunity.
Different International Organization Call for justice
One of the international organizations Amnesty International has been at the forefront of calls for justice in Khashoggi’s case. The organization continues to advocate for an international, independent, and impartial investigation into the killing, aiming to identify all those involved, regardless of their rank or status. The goal is to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice in fair trials. Amnesty International’s stance aligns with the principles of universal jurisdiction, emphasizing that crimes like Khashoggi’s murder can be prosecuted by any state.
The Importance of Accountability and Transparency
The necessity of accountability and openness in the discourse around human rights breaches is highlighted by this murder case. The Saudi government’s inability to bring Jamal’s murder case to justice creates a risky precedent by giving authoritarian regimes the impression that they may act indefinitely.
Human rights must come first for the international community, and those behind Khashoggi’s murder must be held accountable. The only way Khashoggi can really get justice and serve as a warning to others not to violate the law again is if there is an unbiased inquiry and just trials.
Conclusion
The way to justice for Jamal’s murder is still obstructed. International groups need to act to ensure that Jamal is given justice. Furthermore, ascertain who carried out his murder.
Furthermore, obtaining justice, reviving confidence in human rights, and confronting the culture of impunity that endures in Saudi Arabia and other oppressive regimes are all made possible by Amnesty International’s demand for an impartial, independent inquiry into his death.