AFEX calls on UN to take action against Saudi Arabia for murdered journalist

THE African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of prominent media and freedom of expression organizations across Africa yesterday condemned the gruesome murder of renowned Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, saying culprit ought to be ostracized by the civilized world.

In a statement issued fnrom its Secretariat in Accra, AFEX called on the United Nations to demonstrate its commitment to the safety of journalists and ending impunity for crimes against journalists by taking decisive action against Saudi Arabia which, according to the body’s chair, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, “despite the overwhelming evidence of official complicity in the murder of the journalist, has engaged in bare-faced denials, duplicity, peddling falsehoods and then grudging admission laced with half-truths.

He called on the UN to launch an independent international investigation into the murder to establish the extent of involvement of various officials within the Saudi government, includ- ing who issued the order for the killing of the journalist and all those who played a role in the incident.

Mr. Ojo stressed, “It is only by so doing that the UN can convince the world that it is truly serious in its efforts, as outlined in various resolutions and plans on the subject adopted since 2012 by its organs and agencies such as the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and UNESCO, aimed at ensuring the safety of journalists and ending impunity for crimes against journalists. To do nothing would be to give a stamp of approval to impunity.”