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Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Record Under Scrutiny Amid Sports Investments
Saudi Arabia has faced mounting criticism regarding its human rights practices, which include serious concerns over women’s rights, the criminalization of homosexuality, the suppression of free speech, and its ongoing military involvement in Yemen.
Recent reports from various non-governmental organizations indicate that the kingdom executed over 200 individuals in just the first nine months of 2024, marking the highest number of executions in three decades.
The reputation of Saudi Arabia on the global stage suffered a significant blow following the 2018 assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist based in the United States, who had openly criticized the government. This incident has been pivotal in shaping international perceptions of the kingdom.
In light of its human rights record, analysts have observed that the Saudi government appears to be leveraging investments in sports as a strategy to divert attention from its ongoing reputation issues. This includes ambitious plans to host major sporting events and cultivate a more favorable global image.
The Saudi authorities argue that such investments serve multiple purposes: stimulating economic growth, promoting tourism, and encouraging active lifestyles among citizens. These claims are part of a broader vision to modernize the country and diversify its economy beyond oil.
According to guidelines set forth by FIFA, countries interested in hosting its events must demonstrate a commitment to human rights. As part of the bidding process, FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia’s hosting application “an average score of 4.2 out of 5” in its November evaluation report, which is noted as the highest rating ever given.
FIFA expressed optimism, stating that “there is a good potential that the tournament could serve as a catalyst for some of the ongoing and future reforms and contribute to positive human rights outcomes for people in Saudi Arabia and the region that go beyond the scope of the tournament itself.”
However, this perspective has been challenged by human rights advocates. Amnesty International recently insisted that unless substantial reforms pertaining to human rights are enacted by the Saudi government, the consideration for the kingdom as the host for the 2034 tournament should be curtailed. They argue that the event could provoke severe and widespread violations of human rights, further complicating the kingdom’s already contentious human rights landscape.
Source
www.bbc.com