he assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 remains a clear example of transnational repression, a growing tactic where authoritarian regimes target dissidents beyond their borders. Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Despite international outrage and a comprehensive UN investigation, the main perpetrators have faced little to no accountability.
The UN’s Callamard Report: Ignored Recommendations
In June 2019, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard released a detailed report concluding that Khashoggi’s killing was a “premeditated execution” for which Saudi Arabia was responsible. The report provided credible evidence linking MBS to the crime and called for an international investigation and sanctions against high-level officials. Callamard also criticized the Saudi trial of suspects, describing it as lacking transparency and not conducted in “good faith”. However, these recommendations have largely been ignored. The Saudi government dismissed the report as biased and unfounded, refusing to cooperate with international investigators or allow access to key evidence.
Limited International Response
While some countries imposed sanctions on individuals involved in the murder, these measures stopped short of targeting MBS. The United States introduced the “Khashoggi Ban,” restricting visas for 76 Saudi individuals believed to be involved in counter-dissident activities, but did not sanction the Crown Prince himself. Similarly, the UK sanctioned 20 Saudi officials but excluded MBS. This lack of decisive action has been criticized by human rights advocates as a failure to uphold international justice.
Despite the report’s clarity and urgency, its recommendations have largely been ignored. The Saudi trial resulted in the conviction of lower-level operatives, but key figures including Saud al-Qahtani, a close adviser to MBS, escaped prosecution. The Crown Prince himself faced no legal consequences, and international responses were criticized as insufficient to address the systemic abuses highlighted by the investigation.
A Broader Pattern of Transnational Repression
Khashoggi’s assassination is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend of transnational repression. Freedom House has documented 854 incidents of such repression from 38 governments in 91 countries between 2014 and 2022. Authoritarian regimes, including Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia, have increasingly targeted dissidents abroad through surveillance, harassment, and violence.
In the U.K., Saudi exiles have reported threats and intimidation, including death threats and harassment of family members back home. Despite these reports, British authorities have been criticized for failing to take adequate action, with some activists accusing the government of “turning a blind eye” due to diplomatic and economic ties with Saudi Arabia.
The Path Forward
The continued impunity in Khashoggi’s case underscores the challenges in addressing transnational repression. Without united international efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, authoritarian regimes may feel entitled to silence dissent beyond their borders. Implementing the UN’s recommendations, including independent investigations and targeted sanctions, is crucial to deter future violations and uphold the principles of human rights and freedom of expression.
As of April 2025, the main perpetrators of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder remain unpunished, and the international community’s response has been insufficient. This case serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by dissidents worldwide and the imperative for global action against transnational repression.