HRW: Saudi Arabia uses celebrities to deflect scrutiny from its pervasive abuses
Human Rights Watch said the Saudi regime has a history of using celebrities and major international events to deflect scrutiny from its pervasive abuses.
The organization indicated that Saudi Arabia will host the Formula 1 Saudi Grand Prix in Jeddah within three weeks.
A slew of international superstars – including Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Aesap Rocky and David Guetta – are set to perform this weekend, with the first round kicking off on December 4th.
On the surface, the festivities are meant to amuse the audience. But if we look closely, it becomes clear that the Saudi government intends to use these celebrities to polish its miserable human rights record, according to the human rights organization.
“Saudi Arabia has a history of using celebrities and major international events to deflect scrutiny from its pervasive abuses.”
Some celebrities, including Emily Ratajkowski and John Cena, have previously refused to participate in Saudi concerts, citing human rights concerns there.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations have long documented the ongoing abusive practices by Saudi authorities targeting peaceful dissidents and activists.
It highlighted that many peaceful activists remain imprisoned or subject to travel bans despite recent social reforms, including the lifting of travel restrictions for women and the conditional release of some women who campaigned for the right to drive.
It also indicated that some prisoners of conscience in Saudi Arabia were subjected to torture while in detention, while their families may be subjected to collective punishment.
The international organization stressed that criminal justice and labour rights reforms in Saudi Arabia never meet international standards and lack respect for basic rights.
“Human Rights Watch’s #SaudiRegrets campaign urges those who are courted for events sponsored by the Saudi government to speak out publicly on rights issues or, when reputation laundering is the primary purpose, not participate.”
Bieber and his colleagues have a wonderful opportunity to fulfil their public commitments to support human rights and social justice.
Human Rights Watch called for public participation to call on Bieber, Derlo, Isap Rocky, and Gita to lead by example and speak openly about Saudi human rights abuses.
