In a joint statement with Amnesty International, based in London, and the Johannesburg-based alliance of civil society organizations and activists known as CIVICUS, the anti-corruption watchdog said they were calling on other groups to join their boycott as well. “We cannot participate in a process that seeks to give international legitimacy to a state that provides virtually no space for civil society, and where independent civil society voices are not tolerated,” the groups said. Saudi Arabia’s government communications office did not respond to a request for comment on the groups’ statement. Saudi Arabia took over the rotating G20 presidency from Japan last year, becoming the first Arab nation to have the prestigious role of hosting the summit of the world’s largest industrialized and developing economies, which is planned in November in Riyadh. The C20 was established in 2013 as an official engagement group of the G20 with the goal of ensuring world leaders hear outside voices from civil society.

Source: Egypt Independent January 13, 2020 05:15 UTC