you have become the poster child for authoritarianism

This week, you were happily used by the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohamed Bin Salman, as a diplomatic weapon in the rapprochement between Riyadh and the White House. You were part of the Saudi delegation that visited Donald Trump, establishing billion-dollar contracts and a strategic alliance.

He was part of the official dinner, was received in the Oval Office and was praised by the American president, accused by millions of people of promoting an assault against democracy, against foreigners and against minorities.

You influence millions of children around the world, and both the Saudi prince and Trump know it. By smiling and embracing this role, you have helped both of you clean up your crimes, whether they were against the rule of law or against human beings who think differently.

The trip marked Bin Salman’s return to the US, after the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi. Investigations carried out by the CIA itself indicated that the prince was involved in the murder.

In the Oval Office, however, Trump exempted Bin Salman from any responsibility, suggested that the journalist was not liked by many people and added that “things happen”.

In diplomacy, however, nothing is by chance. Supposedly ‘apolitical’, you have lent yourself to the repulsive role of poster boy for authoritarianism. He legitimized repression, ignored the pain of many and, laughingly, mocked democracy. Neither your goals nor your titles will serve to disguise your instrumentalization in the name of human rights violations.