Tories want response to Khashoggi case

Canada should invoke the new Magnitsky Act to sanction those responsible for the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the official Opposition said Monday.

Conservative justice critic Tony Clement says that Saudi Arabia has already identified some individuals who were partially responsible for Khashoggi’s death, adding that the Magnitsky law is a next step the government should consider.

“This may be a prime case for applying the Magnitsky law,” said Clement.

Last year, Canada passed the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, known as the Magnitsky Act, which gives the government the authority to freeze Canadian assets of foreign individuals who are found to have violated human rights.

Clement’s comments follow the same urging by NDP foreign affairs critic Helene Laverdiere, as well as a similar bipartisan demand in the U.S. Congress.

Laverdiere said the NDP hopes there will be a United Nations investigation into Khashoggi’s death.

“When those responsible are identified, will the government be prepared to enforce the Magnitsky law?” Laverdiere said in question period last week.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the murder of Khashoggi on Monday, saying the various Saudi explanations for his death lacked credibility and consistency.

The government has not yet offered a concrete response on whether it will consider using the Magnitsky law in this case.