Target: Anthony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State
Goal: Sanction and punish Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince following report that he ordered journalist’s murder.
A newly declassified U.S, intelligence report shed new, damning light on the murder of U.S.-based reporter Jamal Khashoggi. The journalist, a long-standing advocate of democracy abroad and a fierce critic of the Saudi regime, lost his life at Turkey’s Saudi Arabia consulate in 2018. After his execution and dismemberment, suspicion immediately fell on high-level Saudi officials, especially the nation’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since the previous administration refused to release intelligence findings surrounding the slaying, the suspicions could not be publicly confirmed and little could be done in the way of punishment.
The intelligence report appears to implicate the Crown Prince in no uncertain terms. It assessed that a plot to “capture or kill” the journalist was explicitly ordered by the rising Saudi star, who exerts “absolute control” over the country’s agencies. Yet despite the now-public disclosures, little has changed in the U.S. government’s response. While a few sanctions and restrictions have been levied against other Saudi officials, no action has been taken against the alleged mastermind of this brutal execution. This runs contrary to the Biden administration’s promise to make Saudi Arabia and anyone involved in the killing a “pariah” if evidence emerged of their wrongdoing.
Sign the petition below to hold America’s leaders to that promise.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Blinken,
The murder and dismemberment of a journalist who dedicated his life to fighting for democracy is certainly bigger than any one person. One might say that Jamal Khashoggi’s execution by the Saudi regime struck at the very heart of American interests and values, and letting this act go virtually unpunished is not acceptable.
The oil and the strategic partnership may be important, but they do not subvert all for which this country is supposed to stand. Every dictator in history had allies who tried to rationalize away their deals with the devil. Do not let the United States follow that tragic example. Wrong is wrong. Refugees afraid for their lives have warned you that a failure to hold the Crown Prince and Saudi leadership accountable for this crime would “embolden” and “give impunity” to future atrocities.
A German court complaint has accused the Crown Prince of “widespread and systematic” crimes against humanity. Demonstrate similar courage. Take a stand and show the rest of the world that the United States is prepared to make anyone involved in this barbaric slaughter a “pariah” worthy of the strongest condemnation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Fayez Nureldine
Yup, sanctions on Russia, China and Myanmar, but no sanctions on Saudi : So very American!
As I said before, let’s wait and see how low Biden will go down, taking back what he promised before. Easier said than done! Business before morality!! After all, he’s just another bloody US president.😈