“I also don’t think the administration has explained why we cannot sanction him and [also] not rupture the relationship. The US could still engage with security officials and other diplomats as we need to, without excusing MBS.”

“What this report shows, clearly, is that there’s overwhelming evidence that the crown prince and that the Saudi regime are responsible, and so the U.S. should abide by its [own] laws and…be sanctioning MBS directly.”

“The Biden administration is trying to thread the needle… But if human rights is really going to be at the centre of US foreign policy, as the administration has repeatedly stated, then it can’t give murderers a free pass.”

“[The] entire al-Sadhan family have already suffered so much after nearly three years of an unjust imprisonment… US pressure is helping, but the Saudis are continuing to push to see what they can get away with.”

“Ultimately the distinction they are trying to make is that MBS is one individual and not the whole country… [But] the idea that [Prince Mohammed] is a reformer who is bringing Saudi Arabia into a new age, it just isn’t true.”

“[Loujain al-Hathloul’s release is a] nice, positive [development]. But unless her release is unconditional, and she’s not put on a travel ban or any other step that restricts her freedoms, then it’s only a partial victory and not done.”

“I think there would be some international debate between those who want a very assertive change in the U.S.–Saudi relationship and those who would be more cautious.”

“Up until now Canada has had a reputation of being a country that does adhere to its principles and values and does respect human rights. These kinds of moves do legitimately threaten and erode that positive reputation.”

“The U.S. has a responsibility in those places [where it has good relations]. It has an opportunity through those relationships to try to pressure and use leverage to convince these governments to change their behavior on some of these issues.”