The government of Saudi Arabia, led by its royal family, is often criticized for its maltreatment of religious and political minorities, guest workers, homosexuals and women. The Kingdom tolerates little dissent. In 2011, it proposed criminalizing basic human rights such as freedom of expression, assembly and association. Critics say the Saudi justice system is characterized by arbitrary arrests, unfair trials and harsh punishments. They say thousands of people have been secretly arrested, detained and tortured, while others have been killed under unknown circumstances. Saudi authorities continue to suppress the rights of 9 million Saudi women and 8 million foreign workers.

Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian dissident, author and columnist for the Washington Post who wrote newspaper articles critical of the Saudi government. Khashoggi had been critical of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and the country's king, Salman of Saudi Arabia. He also opposed the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. In 2018, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents related to his planned marriage, but was never seen leaving. News reports claim he had been killed and dismembered inside by Saudi and Turkish officials. His body has never been found. Initially, the Saudi government denied the death, but following shifting explanations for Khashoggi's death, Saudi Arabia's attorney general eventually admitted the murder was premeditated. Our CIA later reported that Mohammed bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.

Pending Legislation: H.R.1464 - Saudi Arabia Accountability for Gross Violations of Human Rights Act
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ)
Status: House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship (Judiciary)
Chair: Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA)