The Saudi government is set to host the Riyadh Comedy Festival 2025 from September 26 to October 9, a move that Human Rights Watch criticizes as an effort to distract from the country’s ongoing repression of free speech and systemic human rights violations. This year’s festival coincides with the seventh anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s state-sponsored murder and follows recent executions of journalists, including one whose death appears to stem from his public expressions.
Human Rights Watch has called on participating comedians to leverage their platform to advocate for the release of unjustly detained Saudi dissidents, journalists, and human rights activists. The festival’s lineup features an array of prominent comedians, such as Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Bill Burr, and Dave Chappelle, among others. Notably, Tim Dillon was removed from the lineup after making remarks on his podcast regarding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
“The seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder is no laughing matter,” stated Joey Shea, a researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Comedians receiving substantial compensation from Saudi authorities should not remain silent about critical issues like human rights and free speech.” Shea emphasized that those performing in Riyadh have a unique opportunity to call for the release of detained activists.
On September 19, Human Rights Watch reached out to the representatives of the participating comedians, seeking a dialogue about the human rights crisis in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, there has been no response. The organization specifically urged comedians to advocate for individuals such as Waleed Abu al-Khair, a human rights defender serving a lengthy prison sentence, and Manahel al-Otaibi, a women’s rights activist recently sentenced for her advocacy.
The Saudi government, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has made significant investments in high-profile events featuring international artists and celebrities as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. This ambitious plan aims to diversify the economy and promote tourism, presenting a more appealing image of the Kingdom to the world.
In a revealing moment, Dillon disclosed on his podcast that he was offered $375,000 for a single performance at the festival, while other performers reportedly received offers as high as $1.6 million. “They bought comedy,” he stated, acknowledging the tension between financial gain and ethical concerns regarding freedom of speech in the Kingdom.
Dillon’s scheduled performance was abruptly canceled after Saudi authorities expressed dissatisfaction with his comedic commentary on human rights issues. “I addressed it in a funny way and they fired me,” Dillon remarked, highlighting the precarious nature of free expression in Saudi Arabia.
Jimmy Carr, one of the headliners for the festival, has not publicly acknowledged his participation on his website or social media accounts, despite his previous vocal support for free speech. “I am a huge free speech absolutist, but it is not freedom from consequences,” he has stated in the past, underscoring the complexities artists face when operating within oppressive regimes.
The contradiction between the comedians’ public endorsement of free expression and the Saudi government’s brutal crackdown on dissent raises serious ethical questions. In 2025 alone, the Saudi government has escalated its execution spree to silence peaceful opposition. Prominent figures, such as writer Turki al-Jasser, were executed under dubious charges that seem to stem from their peaceful speech and criticism.
The emergence of an entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia, while appearing progressive, has been coupled with an alarming suppression of civil liberties since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took power in 2017. While the international community has often praised the country’s cultural advancements, this has coincided with severe restrictions on dissent, including arbitrary arrests of activists and critics.
“Comedians performing in Riyadh should speak out against Saudi Arabia’s serious rights abuses or risk contributing to the Saudi government’s efforts to launder its image,” Shea warned. “This whitewashing occurs amidst a significant increase in repression, including a crackdown on free speech that many of these comedians claim to defend, yet is completely denied to the people in Saudi Arabia.”
