In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs condemn in the
strongest possible terms the torture and killing of Saudi
journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. They also call for an
impartial, international investigation into his death to
find out what actually happened inside the Saudi consulate
in Istanbul on 2 October, and for those responsible to be
brought to justice.
The text notes that the murder is unlikely to have happened
without the knowledge or control of Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammad bin Salman.
EU-wide arms embargo on Saudi Arabia
Following the brutal murder, the resolution reiterates the
European Parliament’s previous call on all EU governments
to reach a common position in order to impose an EU-wide
arms embargo on Saudi Arabia . A similar
demand was put forward by the House on 4 October,
given the country’s role in the brutal civil war in
neighbouring Yemen.
MEPs also call on EU Foreign Policy Chief and on the member
states to stand ready to impose targeted sanctions,
including visa bans and asset freezes against Saudi
individuals, once the facts have been established.
Parliament finally urges member states to take the
initiative at the next UN Human Rights Council meeting in
Geneva on 5 November to raise the issue of membership of
the council for states with deeply questionable human
rights records, including Saudi Arabia .
Background
The prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been
missing since entering the consulate of Saudi Arabia in
Istanbul on 2 October. His disappearance has prompted
widespread international allegations that he was tortured
and brutally murdered by Saudi agents inside the building,
although his body has not yet been found.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any involvement in Jamal
Khashoggi’s disappearance, but following heavy
international pressure, the country admitted that the
killing took place on the consulate’s premises. Mr
Khashoggi was a well-known critic of the Saudi regime.
The text was approved by 325 votes in favour, 1 against and
19 abstentions.
