Saudi Arabia warns of 'grave consequences' of Jasta
Controversial act to undermine principle governing international relations
Manama: Saudi Arabia has warned that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, (Jasta), the law that establishes the precedent of allowing the victims of terrorism to hold a state liable for the actions of its citizens, would have negative effects on all nations and called for its correction to avoid consequences.
“The enactment of Jasta is of great concern to the community of nations that object to the erosion of the principle of sovereign immunity, which has governed international relations for hundreds of years,” a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said.
“The erosion of sovereign immunity will have a negative impact on all nations, including the United States,” the Saudi official added, quoted by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) late on Thursday.
The official said that the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the CIA have expressed their opposition to Jasta as it was being drafted.
“Jasta has also been opposed publicly by many nations as well as dozens of American national security experts who see the dangers that it represents. We hope that wisdom will prevail and that Congress will take the necessary steps to correct this legislation in order to avoid the serious unintended consequences that may ensue.”
