Saudi Arabia has hosted, among other events, the Riyadh Comedy Festival. This event has created backlash, and many have charged the kingdom with “whitewashing” its disastrous human rights record. The festival took place September 26 – October 9. It was headlined by big names on the worldwide comedy circuit, including Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Aziz Ansari. Justice and critics say the Saudi government has poured billions into entertainment as a part of its Vision 2030 plan. At the same time, they argue that it ignores deeply troubling human rights abuses.
This issue has been aggravated by the Saudi kingdom’s recent, well-documented history of human rights abuses. In October 2018, dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered and allegedly dismembered within the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A hit squad of Saudi agents was responsible for the grisly killing, one that has reportedly been approved by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This incident has further deteriorated Saudi Arabia’s standing in the international community. Daily news of executions and a dreadful political repression exacerbate it.
Human Rights Watch just reported a dramatic surge in executions in Saudi Arabia. As of August 5, 2023, the country has executed at least 241 people this year alone. This alarming trend underscores the kingdom’s ongoing disregard for human rights, as highlighted by Amnesty International’s assessments. The organization describes Saudi Arabia as one of the “most regressive environments for free speech in the world,” where freedoms are severely restricted and dissent is met with harsh punishment.
Critics argue that the Riyadh Comedy Festival is meant to help defuse attention on these entrenching problems. Joey Shea, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, pointed out that comedians performing at the festival were encouraged to “speak out against Saudi Arabia’s serious human rights abuses” or risk “bolstering the Saudi government’s well-funded efforts to launder its image.” Such sentiments resonate with many who believe that entertainment events like this one divert attention from critical human rights discussions.
In a similar vein, Kyinzom Dhongdue, Amnesty International Australia’s strategy and advocacy manager, emphasized the responsibility of artists performing in Saudi Arabia. “They are getting paid by this regime, so it’s their responsibility to speak out and call for the release of the human rights activists and defenders,” Dhongdue stated. She reiterated that events like the Riyadh Comedy Festival are often utilized to “distract the world from its brutal human rights record.”
Repetitive and penal contract clauses in the new festival contract have drawn critics’ concerns. Comedians were reportedly required to avoid any material that could “degrade, defame, or bring into public disrepute, contempt, scandal, embarrassment or ridicule” regarding the Saudi government. This restriction is emblematic of the suffocating grip the regime continues to hold over artistic expression.
US comedian Tim Dillon was the first comedian removed from the festival lineup. This decision followed after he cracked jokes about Saudi Arabia’s use of forced labor. His removal has drawn attention to the often dangerous and fragile climate for artists who dare to engage critically with the kingdom.
In the past few years, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spearheaded efforts to shift Saudi Arabia’s public relations interpretation. He’s directing notable investments to all forms of entertainment. As the country spends billions on sports, music, and comedy events, questions remain about its commitment to genuine reform in human rights.
The Riyadh Comedy Festival illustrates the complex interplay between entertainment and activism in a nation striving to reshape its global image while grappling with its notorious human rights record. Critics argue that without a significant shift toward accountability and transparency regarding human rights practices, such events will only serve as superficial attempts at change.
