<nettime> Hatice Cengiz: Jamal Khashoggi deserves justice. (Guardian)

[Patrice Riemens <patrice@xs4all.nl>]

Original to:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/02/jamal-khashoggi-justice-unite-hatice-cengiz


Jamal Khashoggi deserves justice. The world must unite to pursue his 
killers
Those responsible for taking the life of my kind, generous and 
compassionate fiance should not escape accountability
Hatice Cengiz

The Guardian, Fri 2 Nov 2018 06.00 GMT



It has been exactly one month since my fiance, the celebrated journalist 
Jamal Khashoggi, entered Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul never to 
return. Today is also United Nations International Day to End Impunity 
for Crimes against Journalists. The coincidence is tragic and painful. 
Until a month ago, Jamal sent me articles that he was writing. I would 
enthusiastically read them and then call him with my thoughts. He would 
listen attentively, and then we would debate. But now I am writing about 
him and how I feel now he is gone.
I am really finding it difficult to comprehend whether it has been a 
month or a lifetime since I lost Jamal. As I waited in hope that he 
would come out of the consulate, every hour, every day, felt like a 
year. They have been filled with anguish. No matter how long I waited, 
the joyful Jamal did not return. All that came was news of his death.
As I write this, Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor’s office has made an 
official statement. They strangled Jamal and dismembered and destroyed 
his body. How brutal, barbaric and ruthless. What crime did he commit 
for them to do this? What was the reason for them to murder him so 
brutally? There is no explanation for this hate.
It is important to remember Jamal, the person. A man of kindness, 
patience, generosity, compassion and love. All he wanted was a fresh 
start to ease his longing for his homeland. To live a lonely life with 
some happiness. And on this journey I would have been a companion and 
friend. I hope he knew just how precious it was for me as well to begin 
a new life with him.
Jamal’s brutal murder has shaken the world. That is because we have lost 
a globally significant voice. Above all, he championed goodness and 
decency. He helped us understand the complex relations of the Middle 
East, but always put the lives and rights of its people first. Now in 
death, the principles for which he so passionately fought in life have 
been brought into the limelight: democracy, freedom and human rights; 
the fundamental belief that every person should choose their political 
masters through the ballot box. As we witness the international outrage 
at his killing, the perpetrators should know that they can never erase 
his vision for his beloved country. They have only emboldened it.
It is now left to the international community to bring the perpetrators 
to justice. Of all nations, the United States should be leading the way. 
It was founded on the ideals of liberty and justice for all, the first 
amendment enshrining the ideals personified by Jamal. With this tragedy, 
the Trump administration has taken a position that is devoid of moral 
foundation. Some have approached this through the cynical prism of 
self-interest – statements framed by fear and cowardice; by the fear of 
upsetting interstate deals or economic ties. Some in Washington are 
hoping this matter will be forgotten with simple delaying tactics. But 
we will continue to push the Trump administration to help find justice 
for Jamal. There will be no cover-up.
Today I am inviting the international community to take serious and 
practical steps to reveal the truth and to prosecute those involved in a 
court of law. And to deliver Jamal’s body, which is still missing, to 
his loved ones.
I am not naive. I know that governments operate not on feelings but on 
mutual interests. However, they must all ask themselves a fundamental 
question. If the democracies of the world do not take genuine steps to 
bring to justice the perpetrators of this brazen, callous act – one that 
has caused universal outrage among their citizens – what moral authority 
are they left with? Whose freedom and human rights can than credibly 
continue to defend?
We are now going through a test of humanity. And it requires leadership. 
The biggest responsibility lies on the heads of the governments. My 
president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and everyone in the political, legal 
and judicial branches of Turkey are managing this matter in the best way 
possible.
So I invite the leaders of all European countries and the US to pass 
this test. Justice must be served. I demand that those who committed 
this premeditated and savage assassination are brought to justice. Those 
who ordered this murder – even if they stand in the highest political 
office – should also be prosecuted. I demand justice for my beloved 
Jamal. We must all send a clear message that authoritarian regimes 
cannot kill journalists ever again.
Jamal had just bought a house. He had a dream to build a family. He was 
selecting household items with excitement. His shirts had just been 
given to the dry-cleaners on his return from London.
Yet I am left at the door alone. I am the one story Jamal did not 
complete. Now everyone, together, must help finish it, and carry the 
torch of Jamal’s soul until his dream is realised.
• Hatice Cengiz was the fiance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi
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