Human Rights Watch has urged the United States to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for ongoing human rights abuses as discussions continue about lifting a ban on the sale of offensive weapons to the kingdom. The call to action comes as the US is expected to resume its weapons trading with Saudi Arabia, which had been halted following Saudi Arabia’s alleged war crimes in Yemen and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 (JURIST). A US intelligence report linked the killing of Khashoggi directly to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (report).
In addition, Human Rights Watch highlighted recent atrocities committed by Saudi border guards against Ethiopian migrants at the Yemen-Saudi border. These reportedly included systematic killings and violence, as detailed in an August 2023 report (report).
Human Rights Watch argues that lifting the weapons ban without securing accountability for these abuses sends a message of impunity. Sarah Leah Whitson, a director at the organization, stated, “Without accountability these crimes will continue. With a new defense pact and the intention of lifting the ban on the sale of offensive weapons, the Biden administration sends the message that heinous crimes can be committed, even rewarded, for political expediency” (JURIST).