New York library cancels event co-sponsored by Saudi crown prince after public outcry

The MiSK-OSGEY Youth Forum was scheduled to take place at the library on 23 September 2019 and was partly funded by the Saudi crown prince’s personal charity Abdulaziz Foundation (MiSK) and co-sponsored by the UN's Office of the secretary general’s envoy on youth (OSGEY).

Evan Chesler, chairman of the library's board of trustees, said on Wednesday cancelling the workshop was the "appropriate thing to do" after weeks of protests and an online petition that garnered thousands of signatures.

The  library said in a statement that the event was dropped amid "public concern around the event and one of its sponsors". 

Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, welcomed the decision.

"The New York Public Library has made the right choice to decline hosting this event sponsored by Saudi Arabia, in particular by a man whose government apparatus orchestrated the murder and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi."

"Hosting this event just days before the anniversary of Jamal's killing would have been particularly appalling not just for his family, friends, and colleagues, but also for those currently being persecuted in the kingdom".

Earlier this year the UN found "credible evidence" linking Mohammed bin Salman with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

The CIA has reportedly said the murder was likely ordered by Prince Mohammed, a charge Saudi Arabia vehemently denies.

Riyadh initially said it had no knowledge of Khashoggi's fate, but later blamed the murder on rogue agents, and Saudi prosecutors have absolved the crown prince of responsibility.