On the 18th of November, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia met with United States President Donald Trump at the Oval Office of the White House. The two met to discuss bilateral agreements between the USA and Saudi Arabia, ranging from investments to nuclear deals. The two were seen interacting in a friendly manner, sharing smiles and handshakes. The outcome of the meeting however, has been widely criticised for the nature of agreements held, endorsement of human rights abuses, and the vapid nature of conversation being mostly a parade of compliments and gifts. The ECDHR and ADHRB share this perspective, and condemn the lack of forward language used, seemingly reserved for heads of state who are victims of invasion.
A series of agreements were made between the President and the Crown Prince, with the ultimate goal of deepening the US-Saudi strategic partnership, expanding opportunities for high-paying jobs, strengthening critical supply chains, and reinforcing regional stability. These agreements include $600 billion in Saudi investments which may be increased to almost $1 trillion. In addition, the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, advancements in critical mineral cooperation, and an AI Memorandum of Understanding were reached. With the objective of deepening defense cooperation and security, the US-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA) was signed, and President Donald Trump approved a defense sale package which facilitated the delivery of tanks and F-35 fighter jets.
Many human rights activist bodies and NGOs encouraged the President of the United States to use the meeting as an opportunity to discuss the historical and ongoing human rights abuses under the Saudi regime. This however, was met with Trump taking a bizarre stance in defense of the Saudi Crown Prince, pertaining specifically to the killing of Saudi journalist – Jamal Ahmad Hamza Khashoggi – on 2 October 2018. Jamal Khashoggi was once a prominent journalist, contributing to various news organizations in Saudi Arabia, as well as serving as an adviser to the Saudi government. In 2017 he left to live in the United States, critiquing the policies of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his role for the Washington Post. He was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018, and substantial evidence was gathered to conclude that the direct perpetrators were agents of the Saudi government, operating under orders of the Crown Prince. This was corroborated in a US intelligence report made public in 2021.
When asked about the assassination, Donald Trump assumed a dismissive tone, defending the Saudi de facto ruler. Trump defended the Crown Prince, saying that he knew nothing, and did all the right things when it came to investigating Khashoggi’s death. Trump was also strangely critical of Khashoggi in his attempts to deflect uncomfortable truths, saying he was “someone that was extremely controversial,” and that “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about.” While it does not come as a surprise that these two figures opted to engage in the exchange of niceties and shower each other in compliments rather than take accountability, it remains a deep disappointment.
“Things happen” according to Donald Trump, but when it comes to upholding human rights and accountability, nothing happens. Needless to say, the ECDHR and ADHRB are disappointed with the content and outcome of the meeting between the Crown Prince and the President. The nature of conversation and amicability are baffling, and the statements made regarding the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi are insulting, reflecting incredibly poorly on the state of human rights affairs internationally.