a few comments of background in relation to release of our public statement just now – a statement which is *not a report*, as some have characterized it, but a call for investigation in light of serious human rights allegations. report is here: ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/… 
a key first point: @AgnesCallamard & i regularly receive information from sources about serious human rights violations, from all over the world. we are mandated by the @UNHumanRights Council to address credible allegations of violation.
in Agnes' case, that's credible info pertaining to extrajudicial killings and summary executions - which led to her compelling report on murder of #JamalKhashoggi last spring. see ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/…
in my case, that's credible info pertaining to violations of the rights to freedom of expression - such as the unaccountable use of spyware to silence activists, journalists, outlets, others. see ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Free…
when we receive credible info, we raise that with governments and seek response. all @UN_SPExperts do this. for very serious allegations, or urgent ones, we often make our concerns public. that is all SOP. see here for the thousands of communications: spcommreports.ohchr.org/Tmsearch/TMDoc…
here we received a forensic analysis concluding with 'medium to high confidence' that the iphone of Jeff Bezos was compromised via malware sent in 2018 from WhatsApp acct of the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
neither agnes nor i are infosec experts. so we consulted independent experts. based on their responses, which included questions about strength of forensics, we decided to raise concerns as we are today.
there are obviously still many questions, and that's why we believe and call for further investigation is necessary, given the nature of the allegations and the threats posed, if true. /end
