Thread by @amandacconn

New from me:

UN Security Council members had a ‘vested interest’ in blocking Khashoggi probe, according to a memo by one Canadian official as Canada weighed pursuing an international investigation of the journalist's murder by Saudi agents #cdnpoli globalnews.ca/news/6223628/c…

It's been more than a year since Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey and the only credible assessment of his death has been a report into whether there are grounds for a criminal investigation -- deemed to be the case by the UN special rapporteur

According to documents obtained by Global News through #cdnfoi, one Canadian official pointed the finger at the UN Security Council members, saying "most, if not all" had a "vested interest" in making sure no probe took place.

The memo in question, dated Nov. 22, 2018, is heavily redacted so it's not possible to know whether this official provided evidence for that determination or what their final recommendation was on whether Canada should push for an international investigation.

But another part of it states that both Freeland (while foreign minister) and her Turkish counterpart "committed to have their respective teams look into which might be the best tribunal or body for this purpose, and to confer on the results of their respective enquiries.”

But another part of it states that both Freeland (while foreign minister) and her Turkish counterpart "committed to have their respective teams look into which might be the best tribunal or body for this purpose, and to confer on the results of their respective enquiries.”

A briefing note prepared for Freeland ahead of her Nov. 12, 2018, phone call with Turkey's FM though notes that Canada was not considering pursuing any action alone.

The memo's concern about "vested interest" at the UNSC mirrors what Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur, noted in her report recommending an international investigation, particularly of the Saudi Crown prince for his alleged involvement.

She wrote:

Callamard is still urging countries, including Canada, to speak out and do more to push for an international investigation, whether through the UN Secretary General, the UNSC, or the UN Human Rights Council.

Here's some recent context:
passblue.com/2019/10/02/the…