WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMAL KHASHOGGI?
LET HIS FATE BE KNOWN!
LET HIM BE DELIVERED TO HIS FAMILY ALIVE!
The uncertainty surrounding the fate of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was never heard from again after entering Saudi Arabia’s Istanbul General Consulate on 2 October 2018, continues.
Some news sources claim that Mr. Khashoggi was under threat because he was known for his dissident identity and of his pieces critical of the king of Saudi Arabia and was killed in the Consulate, while some others state that the authorities permitted a search to be conducted within the Consulate, some others say that the Consulate cameras were not working at the time when Mr. Khashoggi went missing. But neither the Saudi Arabian authorities nor the Turkish authorities tell us what happened to Mr. Khashoggi.
There is, however, one reality that cannot be hidden and is well-known by everyone: A journalist was disappeared within Consulate borders and his family and the public have not heard from him for the last eight days.
As is known, enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity and the Human Rights Association has been struggling to prevent this crime for the disappeared ones since 1986, the year it was founded.
Saturday Mothers have been looking for their loved ones who disappeared under custody, have been demanding justice, and have been trying to make the state give up its denial policy.
Not only the authorities of the Saudi Arabia General Consulate are responsible for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi but also the Turkish state has full liability for this instance of enforced disappearance that occurred in a consulate located in its lands.
Saudi Arabia General Consulate cannot be held as being acquitted of its liability in this incident by permitting a search to be conducted at its premises, it has to prove that Mr. Khashoggi was not subjected to any pressure at the consulate and left the premises safe and sound.
The Turkish state is obliged to protect everyone’s right to life living in the country and Mr. Khashoggi’s right to life and is responsible for the uncertainty around his fate and what happened to him.
We, as human rights defenders, ask: What happened to Jamal Khashoggi?
The authorities of Saudi Arabia and Turkey should reveal the fate and whereabouts of Jamal Khashoggi and ensure that he reunites with his family safe and sound.
Human Rights Association
Istanbul Branch