Human rights groups urge UN Khashoggi inquiry

Human rights groups have visited the United Nations calling for an
independent investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder
of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi has not been seen for more than two weeks since he entered
the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish officials believe he was tortured and killed inside in
retaliation for his criticism of Saudi Arabia's royalty.

And the human rights groups say Turkey should request the inquiry.

Nick Harper reports from the UN in New York.

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TAKE VO
As the demands for answers grow human rights groups say it's time for
the United Nations to act.
Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human
Rights Watch are asking for an independent investigation, to find out
exactly what happened to Jamal Khashoggi.

SOT - Robert Mahoney, Deputy Executive Director, Committee to Protect
Journalists
"I have not seen such horror and such broad international press
coverage of a murder of a journalist in many many years. This has
touched a nerve. So what I want to do as a journalist and a press
freedom defender is capitalize on that and have this message amplified
so that the political will to pursue justice is driven forward."

TAKE VO
The groups are urging international action to ensure there's no
whitewash of the journalist's disappearance.
They believe erosion of press freedoms globally and accusations of
'fake news' have contributed to a growing spirit of impunity.

SOT - Louis Charbonneau, UN Director, Human Rights Watch
"These kinds of messages that we're also hearing in Europe, in the
Middle East, in Asia, in Africa, these messages send signals to the
world's worst leaders that we can take out the journalists that are
annoying us and we're not going to pay any price, there will be no
costs, we can do what we want."

TAKE VO
The UN meeting came on the day the Washington Post published what it
said was Khashoggi's last article.
TAKE VO
A day when Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced he would now
not attend the upcoming Saudi investment conference.
TAKE VO
It's a sign of the Trump administration pushing back against Riyadh,
following criticism that it provided cover for the Kingdom.
TAKE VO
But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, back from meeting Saudi Crown
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, said the Saudis needed "a few more days"
to complete their inquiry.
TAKE VO
The human rights groups say that investigation lacks any credibility
or impartiality.
A UN investigation could go ahead without Saudi Arabia's support. But
historically for UN inquiries to be seen as truly credible and
comprehensive all parties need to be on board.
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