Riyadh Comedy Festival Faces Global Criticism Over Human Rights Concerns

The Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, featuring over 50 comedians including Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr, and Dave Chappelle, has sparked intense controversy due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record. Critics, including comedians Marc Maron and David Cross, and human rights groups like Human Rights Watch, accuse the festival of whitewashing Saudi Arabia's repression of free speech, systemic discrimination, and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Maron condemned the event as a cynical attempt by the Saudi government to deflect from its brutal actions, while others urged participants to use their platform to advocate for the release of political prisoners. Despite the criticism, the festival is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and boost tourism. Some comedians, including Shane Gillis and Stavros Halkias, have refused to participate on moral grounds, highlighting a divide within the comedy community. The event underscores broader tensions over cultural engagement with authoritarian regimes and the ethics of entertainers performing in countries with contentious human rights records.