JAMAL KHASHOGGI

Labor joins with the G7 Foreign Ministers, of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union in condemning the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the strongest possible terms and calls on Saudi Arabia to now provide a full and proper account of the events leading up to his killing.

 

Labor is deeply disturbed by the evidence, including that presented by Turkey overnight, that Mr Khashoggi was killed as a result of a deliberate, planned and horrific attack by Saudi officials.

 

The Saudi Government’s explanations are simply not credible and the world now demands Saudi Arabia tell the truth about the events of 2 October in its Istanbul consulate and bring to account those responsible for the killing of Mr Khashoggi.

 

Freedom of expression and a free press are important values Australia shares with all nations committed to democracy and the rule of law.

 

That is why Labor last week called for Australia to boycott the Riyadh “Future Investment Initiative” (FII) conference. We welcome the Government’s decision to support that call and join with our friends and allies in withdrawing official Australian representation at the conference.

 

It is appropriate that as a country we send a strong signal of our concern over Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and our expectation that the Government of Saudi Arabia provides a forthright and accurate account of what has occurred.