Saudi Arabia takes over G20 presidency from Japan amid outrage over human rights

Saudi Arabia became first Arab country to take over presidency of G20, in an attempt to bounce back into global community, following outr against ir records of human rights violations. oil-rich kingdom pushed a liberalisation drive and it's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became beacon for 'reformers' in country. However, he faced firm criticism over crackdown on dissent and murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018.

Taking presidency from Japan, Saudi Arabia will host world leers for a global summit in Riyh next year vember 21 and 22. " kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumes G20 Presidency today, leing up to summit in Riyh" in 2020, official Saudi Press ncy said.

" Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus." Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, kingdom's de facto ruler, hailed it as a "unique opportunity" to shape international consensus, SPA ded.

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Saudi Arabia will host more than 100 events and conferences in run-up to summit, including ministerial meetings, ncy said. "When Saudi Arabia assumes G20 presidency, it will become first (Arab) nation to le this intergovernmental body," Dennis Swer, president of think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said in a statement.

"This presidency... will be challenged by a central parox: global risks like climate change, demographic developments, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy, and aging societies... but rising populism and nationalism are preventing progress at multilateral level."

Saudi Arabia's crackdown on dissent 

Human Rights groups have urged G20 member nations to exert pressure on Kingdom over its intensifying crackdown on dissent by locking down several women activists, journalists, and political dissidents. Despite global backlash, it was reported that Saudi Arabia has detained nine acemics, writers and activists in ir last series of crackdowns.  Activists say that some were subsequently released, but detention of liberals -- in midst of much-hyped liberalisation drive -- underscores what observers call increasing repression and authoritarianism.

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"Saudi Arabia steps up to G20 presidency amid a new wave of arbitrary arrests of peaceful critics, with many human rights defenders still languishing behind bars, and just over a year since horrifying killing of Jamal Khashoggi," Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's director for Middle East and rth Africa, said in a statement.

"World leers in G20 must pressure Prince Mohammed to ensure enjoyment of all human rights including freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly."  After remaining silent for almost a year, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, said that he bears responsibility for killing of Jamal Khashoggi, considering it happened 'under his watch,' as per a PBC documentary. 

(With PTI inputs)

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