UN Human Rights Commissioner Says Diplomatic Immunity Should Be Waived In Khashoggi Case

(@FahadShabbir)

UN Human Rights Commissioner Says Diplomatic Immunity Should Be Waived in Khashoggi Case

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday called on Riyadh to release the information they have on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, and stressed that diplomatic immunity could be waived in this situation

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday called on Riyadh to release the information they have on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, and stressed that diplomatic immunity could be waived in this situation.

"In view of the seriousness of the situation surrounding the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi, I believe the inviolability or immunity of the relevant premises and officials bestowed by treaties such as the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations should be waived immediately. Under international law, both a forced disappearance and an extra-judicial killing are very serious crimes, and immunity should not be used to impede investigations into what happened and who is responsible," Bachelet said, as quoted in the statement of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Bachelet welcomed the Saudi-Turkish agreement that allowed investigators to enter the consulate building and, potentially, the residence of the consul general.

Turkish investigators that were part of a joint Saudi-Turkish team searched the consulate on Monday.

"Given there seems to be clear evidence that Mr Khashoggi entered the Consulate and has never been seen since, the onus is on the Saudi authorities to reveal what happened to him from that point onwards," Bachelet said, according to the statement.

The high commissioner urged the Turkish government to share any information it has as well.

The journalist was reported missing by his fiancee who had waited for hours for him to return from the Saudi consulate which he entered on October 2. According to media reports, Turkish investigators believe he may have been killed inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia has rejected the allegations.