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The Guardian

Saudi Arabia has accused the Australian government of racism and of supporting anti-Islamic terrorists like the alleged Christchurch shooter, in an extraordinary dispute that has erupted at the United Nations.
Earlier this week, Australia led a coalition of countries condemning Saudi Arabia over a raft of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Australia’s ambassador to the UN, Sally Mansfield, delivered a statement on behalf of 24 nations to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, excoriating the Saudi kingdom for systematic violence and human rights abuses, particularly against those who oppose the ruling regime.
The Islamophobia Industry: how US war on terror sowed seeds of Christchurch killings
The Australian mission to the UN was a key drafter and organiser of the statement. Other backers of the statement included the UK, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.
“We remain deeply concerned at the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia ,” Mansfield said. “Civil society actors in Saudi Arabia still face persecution and intimidation. Human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, journalists and dissidents remain in detention, or under threat. We are concerned at reports of torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, unfair trials, and harassment of individuals engaged in promoting and defending human rights, their families and colleagues.”
Saudi Arabia itself is a member of the 47-member UN Human Rights Council, though the country’s ambassador was not in the room to hear the speech, having left to host his country’s national day reception. But a day later the Saudi ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, launched an extraordinary broadside, targeting Australia.
He said minorities, migrants and Muslims face “horrific violations of human rights … racist and extremist policies”.
“Unfortunately, these have become popular and even accepted by some western parliaments, they are even sponsored by certain governments,” he said.
“We see in some countries, radicalism against Muslims, we see xenophobia, racism. And some governments sympathise with them, like Australia. Here we refer to the massacre perpetrated by Brenton Tarrant – an Australian – which was based on hate speech.”
Alwasil condemned Australia’s speech as ill-informed.

“We have listened with great surprise to the statement of Australia on behalf of a group of states,” he said. “In it, there are many mistakes and misleading information against my country. The Kingdom continues its reform policies in accordance with its values and Islamic teachings, especially with regards to the rights of women.”
The coalition of mainly western countries said Saudi Arabia needed to demonstrate genuine accountability for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October.
We refer to the massacre perpetrated by Brenton Tarrant – an Australian – which was based on hate speech
Abdulaziz Alwasil
Saudi officials at first denied responsibility for Khashoggi’s death, but eventually admitted he had been killed inside the consulate. A report published in June by the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions said there was credible evidence warranting further investigation of high-level Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The report also said that the circumstances “point to a possible act of torture.”
“It is important that truth be established and accountability be achieved … for Mr Khashoggi’s loved ones … we call for an end to impunity for torture and extrajudicial killings,” the statement read by the Australian ambassador said.

Edwina MacDonald, the legal director at the Human Rights Law Centre, said Australian leadership to build international pressure on Saudi Arabia was welcomed.
“We applaud the Australian government for taking a principled stand and speaking up about extremely concerning human rights violations that another member of the council has been committing with impunity,” MacDonald said.
“Public condemnation like this from Australia and other countries will increase the pressure on Saudi Arabia … if you have a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, then you have an obligation to use it.”
Saudi Arabia soothes Asia over oil supply fears after drone attacks
The UN feud complicates Australia’s relationship with the Saudi kingdom. Australia sells weapons to Saudi Arabia, and Australia is a part of the US-led mission patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, a mission aimed at curbing Saudi antagonist Iran’s actions in the Gulf.
A UN report earlier this month detailed compelling evidence of possible war crimes by the Saudi-led coalition fighting a war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The coalition of countries led by Saudi Arabia has starved civilians, bombed hospitals and blocked humanitarian aid during the five-year conflict in the gulf state.
The UN report warned that countries which arm the Saudi military, such as Australia, the US, UK and France, could also be guilty of war crimes.


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Australia

Saudi Arabia accuses Australia of ‘sympathising’ with Christchurch mosque killer

A Muslim worshipper prays at a makeshift memorial at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch. Photo: EPA

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2014 file photo, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks during a press conference in Manama, Bahrain. A Turkish newspaper says in his final words, slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi urged his killers not to cover his mouth because he suffered from asthma and could suffocate. The Sabah newspaper on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019 published new excerpts of a recording of Khashoggi's conversation with members of a Saudi hit squad sent to kill him. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, File)

FILE PHOTO: Brenton Tarrant, charged for murder in relation to the mosque attacks, is seen in the dock during his appearance in the Christchurch District Court, New Zealand March 16, 2019. Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo. ATTENTION EDITORS - PICTURE PIXELATED AT SOURCE. SUSPECT FACE MUST BE PIXELATED. ONLY HIS FACE.

New Zealand to review laws after second letter sent from jail by Christchurch mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant emerges

Accused mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant. Photo: NZ Herald

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis during a press conference after announcing a $128.3 million boost in mental health and addiction services for offenders, at a function in Upper Hutt. 17 June 2019 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Mark Mitchell NZH 18Jun19 -

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to the media during a press conference at the Justice Precinct in Christchurch on March 28, 2019. (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)

Too soon? New Zealand terror attack to be turned into feature film called Hello Brother

Muslims enter the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch after it was reopened. Photo: AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) attend a launching ceremony for the 'Christchurch call', an initiative pushed by Ardern after a self-described white supremacist gunned down 51 people in a massacre at two mosques in the New Zealand city in March, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 15, 2019. - French President and New Zealand's premier host other world leaders and leading tech chiefs to launch an ambitious new initiative aimed at curbing extremism online. (Photo by CHARLES PLATIAU / POOL / AFP)

New Zealand bans manifesto of accused Christchurch killer, igniting debate about censorship and free speech

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as she leaves Friday prayers in Christchurch. Photo: AP

FILE - In this March 18, 2019, file photo, a student lights candle during a vigil to commemorate victims of March 15 shooting, outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. New Zealanders are debating the limits of free speech after their chief censor banned a 74-page manifesto written by a man accused of massacring 50 people at two mosques. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

FILE - In this March 16, 2019, file photo, flowers lay at a memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque for victims in March 15 shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. New Zealanders are debating the limits of free speech after their chief censor banned a 74-page manifesto written by a man accused of massacring 50 people at two mosques. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

People gather outside Al Noor mosque after it was officially reopened following last week's attack, on Saturday, March 23, 2019. in Christchurch, New Zealand. Fifty people were killed, and dozens were injured in Christchurch on March 15 when a gunman opened fire at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history. **FOR USE WITH THIS STORY ONLY** (Carl Court/Getty Images/TNS)

FILE - In this Thursday, March 21, 2019 file photo, mourners arrive for a burial service of a victim from the March 15 mosque shootings, at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was hailed around the world for her decisive response to the two mosque shootings by a white nationalist who killed 50 worshippers. For many Muslims, her most consequential move was immediately labeling the attack an act of terrorism. Community leaders and researchers say that for too long, terrorism was considered a "Muslim problem" and that a double standard persists when attacker is white and non-Muslim. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)

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Earlier this week, Australia led a coalition of countries condemning Saudi Arabia over a raft of human rights abuses, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
The Saudi ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, in response launched an extraordinary broadside, targeting Australia and highlighting ‘radicalism against Muslims, xenophobia, racism’



Earlier this week, Australia led a coalition of countries condemning Saudi Arabia over a raft of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
