October 2, 2025
Brussels – On the seventh anniversary of the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the International Federation for Rights and Development (IFRD) stands in solemn remembrance of his life, his work, and his relentless pursuit of truth.
Khashoggi’s murder on October 2, 2018, remains one of the most flagrant violations of press freedom in the 21st century. It was not only an attack on one courageous voice, but a chilling message to journalists worldwide that speaking truth to power can come at the highest cost.
Seven years later, accountability remains elusive, and the climate for journalists globally continues to deteriorate. Reporters face intimidation, imprisonment, censorship, and violence from both state and non-state actors. From war zones in Sudan and Ukraine, to the streets of Morocco and Egypt, and most alarmingly in Gaza where journalists are being systematically targeted and killed while documenting war crimes, the risks have reached unprecedented levels. The deliberate targeting of press workers in Gaza is a blatant violation of international law and a direct assault on humanity’s right to know the truth.
IFRD reaffirms that freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy, justice, and accountability. Without the courage of journalists, societies are left in darkness, unable to confront corruption, human rights violations, and abuses of power.
We call on governments, international organizations, and civil society to:
- Ensure full accountability for Khashoggi’s murder, including justice for those who ordered and orchestrated the crime.
- Strengthen international protections for journalists, particularly in conflict zones.
- End the harassment, censorship, and arbitrary detention of reporters.
- Halt the deliberate targeting of journalists in Gaza and elsewhere, and uphold press freedom as a non-negotiable human right enshrined in international law.
As we mark this solemn anniversary, IFRD honors Jamal Khashoggi’s memory by standing with every journalist who continues his mission—risking everything to ensure the truth is heard. His voice was silenced, but his legacy demands action.
