Enemy of all states - the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a diplomatic post in Turkey has seen a wave of calls
for action against Saudi Arabia. Photo / Washington Post
More Pacific leaders should follow the example of New Zealand's government in condemning the murder of Washington Post
journalist Jamal Khashoggi, says PFF, the Pacific Freedom Forum.
“Ongoing pressure from the Pacific and global leaders will send a strong message that you can’t disappear people and get
away with it,” says PFF Chair, Monica Miller of American Samoa.
In a statement released this week, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Minister Trade and Export Growth David
Parker said the New Zealand government condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the killing of Khashoggi by Saudi
operatives.
Officially confirmed
The New Zealand statement came shortly after the death of the prominent journalist in the Turkish Consulate General in
Istanbul was officially confirmed by the Saudi Arabian government, following earlier claims he had left the consulate
building on 2nd October.
The Washington Post columnist had predicted he would be targeted for his work, calling out corruption and pushing for
transparency from the Saudi government led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The 33-year old ruler has led a
crackdown on dissent since he came to power last year.
Miller recalls the parallels of the Khashoggi killing with the assassination of Sri Lankan news editor Lasantha
Wickrematunge on January 8 2009, just days after he had published a column predicting he would be killed for his
criticisms of the military government.
Brutal reminder
Says Miller, “Sadly, we are once more being brutally reminded that journalists following their calling can be cut down
at any moment, just for doing their jobs.”
From the North Pacific, PFF Co-chair Bernadette Carreon says: “Pacific nations have come of age with the invaluable
contribution of human rights defenders and many are well aware of the balance a government in touch with its people
brings to development.”
“We commend New Zealand as a Pacific Forum member for standing against this horrific crime, and putting the Saudi Crown
Prince on notice that the world is watching.”
Justice vs atrocity
Melanesia co-chair Robert Iroga says the withdrawal of New Zealand and Australia officials from the ‘Davos in the
Desert’ investment conference this week in Riyadh also signals that trading relationships are on hold until the search
for answers - and the body of Jamal Khashoggi- is resolved.
“The voices of our Pacific and other world leaders will lend momentum to the current investigation, but sadly, it's only
likely to confirm a journalist was killed for being a journalist.
“It's important those involved in this atrocity are brought to justice.”
LINKS :
Khashoggi death throws new light on Saudi princes crackdown on dissent https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/khashoggi-death-throws-new-light-on-saudi-princes-crackdown-on-dissent/2018/10/22/8b9b72da-d56c-11e8-8384-bcc5492fef49_story.html?noredirect=on_term=.90916485928d
Saudi Arabia’s 2019 press ranking to fall - RSF https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/10/23/saudi-arabias-2019-press-freedom-ranking-to-fall-rsf
New Zealand government statement on death of Jamal Khashoggi https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/death-jamal-khashoggi
ends