Swiss join criticism of Saudi Arabia at UN rights council
Switzerland has signed a statement with dozens of Western countries raising serious concerns about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. Switzerland has changed its stance: last year it withheld its signature for similar international condemnations of the Gulf kingdom at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/AFP/sb
العربية
ar
سويسرا تنضم إلى إعلان يحث السعودية على “إطلاق سراح جميع المعتقلين السياسيين”
Denmark’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Morten Jespersen, on Tuesday read out a joint statement on behalf of 29 countries – including Switzerland, Australia, Britain and Canada – at the UN Human Rights Council expressing their deep concern about repeated human rights violations in the Gulf state: torture, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance.
They urged the kingdom to “release all political detainees” and voiced concern at the detention of “at least five women activists”. Prominent women’s rights activists were arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2018 as it lifted a ban on women driving cars, a step that many of the detainees had long campaigned for. Several of the arrested women say they have suffered torture and sexual assault in detention, accusations which Saudi officials reject.
The statement in Geneva also returned to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
“We reiterate our call for transparency and holding all those responsible accountable,” it said.
A Saudi court this month jailed eight people for between seven and 20 years for the murder of the journalist in 2018 at its consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. The trial drew criticism from a UN investigator and from human rights campaigners who said the masterminds of the murder remained free.
The more active Swiss position on Saudi Arabia represents a change. Last year it withheld its signature for international condemnation of the Gulf kingdom at the Geneva-based council. Switzerland was widely denounced, particularly by NGOs, for refusing to join similar initiatives launched in March and September.
More
More
EU states criticise Saudi abuses, Switzerland stays silent
This content was published on
Some 36 countries have signed a statement in Geneva criticizing the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, in a rare international condemnation.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Pilatus no longer under investigation over Saudi Arabia activities
This content was published on
The attorney general decided to drop criminal proceedings triggered by a government claim that the company had failed to report services provided in Saudi Arabia. The German-language newspaper NZZ am Sonntag broke the news. The decision, which was taken on November 18, is legally binding, according to news agency Keystone-SDA. Switzerland’s foreign affairs ministry had filed criminal…
EU states criticise Saudi abuses, Switzerland stays silent
This content was published on
Some 36 countries have signed a statement in Geneva criticizing the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, in a rare international condemnation.
Switzerland ‘deeply concerned’ about new Khashoggi details
This content was published on
The foreign ministry plans to once again summon the Saudi chargé d’affaires in Bern following new information about the slain journalist.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.