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Many heads of government should be pleased that the G20 summit in Saudi Arabia is largely taking place virtually only.
It would not have been a photo for the family album that Chancellor Angela Merkel, French head of state Emmanuel Macron or Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would have wanted to see. Host of the summit this weekend: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, responsible for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who is critical of the government.
And not only that: Saudi Arabia tramples on human rights in general, imprisons unpopular people, has them tortured and executed.
▶ ︎ 34 journalists are currently in jail, according to “Reporters Without Borders”.
▶ ︎ 184 people were executed, some publicly, in Saudi Arabia in 2019 alone, according to Amnesty International.
The government of Saudi Arabia does not admit criticism or interference from outside: “You have your laws, we have our laws,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said in view of the death penalty in his Country. Germany would not impose a ban on alcohol in hotels because this is true in Saudi Arabia.
What are the real problems?
The main topic is the global corona pandemic.
In addition to the seven major industrialized countries and 13 emerging countries, pandemic-affected countries such as Spain, Singapore and Switzerland will participate, as well as representatives from the United Nations, the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).
On the second day of the summit, among other things, the common fight against the climate crisis will be at the center. Another debt relief for the poorest countries in the world following the Corona crisis is also on the agenda.
By the way: the current President of the United States Donald Trump is also virtually attending the meeting. It could be his last “appearance” on the international political scene.
Human rights activists appeal to heads of state
Just in time for the summit, Saudi Arabia will officially dedicate itself to “empowering women”. Human rights activists, however, doubt the sheikhs understand this.
Crown Prince and suspected mastermind of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Mohammed bin Salman (left) and his father Salman bin Abdulaziz are projected onto a palace during the Riyadh summit Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP
“At least four prominent women’s rights activists are currently incarcerated:” Loujain al-Hathloul, Nassema al-Sadah, Samer Badawi and Nouf Abdulaziz, “says Wenzel Michalski, director of Human Rights Watch Germany.” We urgently call for the release of the political prisoners “.
“My sister Loujain has been in prison for three years. We can no longer trust the judiciary. The Saudi government must immediately and unconditionally release our Loujain ”, appeals to BILD Lina al-Hathloul.
“The G20 heads of state and government must ask Saudi Arabia to release Loujain. And they must convey our requests because the Saudi people are no longer listened to by their government. “
The West must use the G20 to put pressure on Riyadh: “During the summit, politicians – especially the Germans – should always turn to the Saudis about the situation of political prisoners,” Michalski told BILD.
In order for the G20 not to become a pure Saudi Arabian propaganda show, Germany should also insist on an independent international investigation into Jamal Khashoggi’s death. Other locations should be investigated, said Michalski, director of HRW: “Germany should urge the Saudis for UN experts to have access to Yemen to investigate war crimes committed by the Saudi military.”
The health of the Saudi king is deteriorating
The appearance of the decrepit Saudi King Salman at the G20 summit has meanwhile raised concerns about the monarch’s health.
As a host of the meeting early Saturday, the 84-year-old had a lot of trouble making his ten-minute opening statement. He muttered over the prepared text. Several times he had to start over and clear his throat.
King Salman during his opening speech in RiyadhPhoto: BANDER ALGALOUD / Reuters
King Salman, son of the founder of the Saudi state Abdelasis Ibn Saud, has been on the throne since 2015. There were already speculations about his health when he came to power. According to official information, his gallbladder was removed last July.
The monarch had already transferred many skills to his son Mohammed bin Salman – the “sheikh of horror” – three years ago. The 35-year-old crown prince is already considered the real ruler of the kingdom. Observers believe he will ascend the throne after Salman’s death.
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