As Riyadh prepares to host its inaugural Comedy Festival, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning, accusing the Saudi government of using the event to divert attention from ongoing human rights abuses and suppression of free speech. The festival, scheduled from September 26 to October 9, coincides with the seventh anniversary of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a grim reminder of the kingdom's controversial human rights record.

HRW's critique highlights the festival's backdrop of severe penalties for dissent, including the imprisonment and execution of activists and critics such as Waleed Abu al-Khair, Manahel al-Otaibi, Turki al-Jasser, and Abdullah al-Shamri. The organization has reached out to the management of participating comedians, urging them to speak up for the detained Saudi activists, though responses remain undisclosed. Notably, comedian Tim Dillon revealed he was dismissed from the festival roster after making critical remarks about Saudi practices on his podcast.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival boasts an impressive lineup, featuring over 50 international comedians, including Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, Pete Davidson, and Jimmy Carr. Billed as the “world's largest comedy festival,” it forms a part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy. This ambitious plan aims to diversify the kingdom's economy beyond oil by boosting sectors like tourism.

Despite these glittering entertainment ventures, Saudi Arabia's commitment to human rights remains under scrutiny. The kingdom has not ratified international conventions protecting freedom of expression, such as those outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Additionally, laws within the country strictly criminalize any criticism of Islam or the government, contributing to an environment where free speech is heavily curtailed.

Rights groups continue to express concern over the alarming rate of executions in the country, emphasizing the broader context of repression under which the festival is being held. The juxtaposition of high-profile comedy acts with the suppression of free speech and the ongoing incarceration and execution of dissenters paints a complex picture of contemporary Saudi Arabia—one where laughter rings out against a backdrop of silence.