Bin Salman's political immunity a thorn in the side of human rights activists
Bin Salman's political immunity a thorn in the side of human rights activists
Mohammed bin Salman is back in Europe, for the second time within a year. The Saudi crown prince and prime minister - internationally ostracized for a time after 2018 because of his alleged responsibility for the murder of the critical Saudi publicist Jamal Khashoggi - has long been back on the international stage as if nothing had happened. His country is simply too rich and too important to ignore, according to the thinking in Western capitals, where people are also watching with concern Saudi Arabia's turn toward China.
Human rights organization files lawsuit
Hours before dinner between Mohammed bin Salman and Macron, the human rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) filed a lawsuit against the crown prince in a Paris court. France's judiciary must launch criminal investigations against bin Salman, the Washington, D.C.-based organization's lawsuit said, accusing him of complicity in the torture of Kashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 and his subsequent disappearance.
According to the group, two other human rights groups support its call for French investigations. The Saudi crown prince should not enjoy immunity from prosecution because he is not his country's head of state, they said. By signing the U.N. conventions against torture and enforced disappearance, France has committed itself to investigating a suspect like the prince if he is on French territory, said Dawn Executive Director Sarah Leah Whitson.
Criticism of Macron for meeting with bin Salman
French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Élysée Palace despite massive criticism. Macron greeted bin Salman with a long handshake upon his arrival, images obtained by AFP TV showed. Human rights groups had protested the meeting, saying it further rehabilitated bin Salman on the international stage.
According to U.S. intelligence findings, bin Salman had personally approved the 2018 murder of journalist and royal critic Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Many Western governments distanced themselves from the crown prince.
Alternative energy sources to Russia sought
French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne defended yesterday's invitation. Macron could be counted on to mention the issue of human rights in his talks with the crown prince, while seeking energy supplies from other places instead of Russia, she said. "Of course, it's not a matter of putting our principles aside." But against the backdrop of Russia cutting gas supplies and tensions over energy prices, she said, the French would not understand "if we don't talk to countries that are precisely energy producers.
"France and other EU countries want to reduce their dependence on oil and natural gas supplies from Russia by securing other energy sources. The Élysée Palace had also previously said that Macron would discuss human rights at the dinner with the crown prince. A spokesman added, referring to the murder, that "we have always said that the facts should be clarified." According to the Élysée Palace, Macron and Mohammed also planned to discuss Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Inconsistencies and embarrassing circumstances
Saudi Arabia has successfully freed itself from the control of the United States and established a fruitful alliance with China. A few days ago, contracts deeding billions of dollars' worth of business to Chinese corporations were inked. Saudi Arabia has recently improved its relations with Iran, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is currently on a 10-day visit to France, where he is receiving a warm reception.
But at a time when people are parading about talking about "values" and "principles" and the battle against impunity in relation to Ukraine, Saudi Arabia's humility is troubling. It is not helpful in persuading public opinion in other parts of the world that the West still applies two different standards in its interactions with the rest of the world. When everything is considered together, this indicates that Mohammed bin Salman will still be around long after his critics have been forgotten. But we are aware that France provided around 9 billion euros' worth of military hardware, ammunition, and maintenance services to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates between the years of 2015 and 2021. These two countries are the leaders of the Arab coalition that was formed against the AnsarAllah.
