Neom: Confront Saudi leaders over futuristic city death, human rights groups urge UK
Human rights organizations are urging a delegation from the UK visiting Saudi Arabia to exert pressure on Saudi leaders following a BBC report disclosing that Saudi forces were instructed to use lethal force for the development of a futuristic city.
Among the projects showcased at an event in Riyadh hosted by the UK is Neom’s The Line, a desert city. Notable speakers at the event include footballer Rio Ferdinand, former minister Jo Johnson, and a British Airways executive.
The UK government stated that it consistently raises concerns about human rights with Saudi authorities, emphasizing its significant economic and national security interests in the region.
The “Great Futures” launch event, happening this week, aims to highlight the vast business opportunities for UK companies in Saudi Arabia, initiating a year-long partnership focusing on trade, tourism, and education between the two nations. Neom stands out as a major project being promoted as a lucrative business prospect for UK firms.
The Department for Business and Trade’s website promoting the event prominently features images of The Line, a futuristic city nestled in the desert.
Recently, Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, revealed to the BBC that he was instructed to displace villagers from a tribe in the Gulf state to pave the way for The Line, a component of the Neom eco-project.
One of them was subsequently shot and killed for protesting against eviction. A statement issued by Saudi state security at the time alleged that he had opened fire on security forces and they had been forced to retaliate.
Human rights organizations and the UN have said he was killed simply for resisting eviction.
The Saudi government and Neom management refused to comment on the findings of the BBC investigation.
Amnesty International, a human rights organization, said: “The reality behind such futuristic projects is the brutal repression of citizens and residents.”
“Any business that knowingly contributes to human rights harms is in clear violation of international law,” Dana Ahmed, Amnesty International’s Middle East Researcher said.
ALQST, a UK-based human rights group, said it appears that the UK is “increasingly willing to turn a blind eye to the catalog of Saudi abuses on the ground.”
“Imagine if companies working on Neom made their involvement conditional on the release of residents arrested for protesting forced eviction?” said Josh Cooper, deputy director of the organization.
“Or if university chancellors withheld Saudi partnerships until detained University of Leeds PhD student Salma al-Shehab was freed? Such steps would have a positive bearing,” he added.
The BBC contacted several high-profile speakers participating in the event, but many did not respond.
Of those who did, many described the event as an important opportunity to showcase and promote British business, culture, and society.
A spokesperson for the UK government said, “The United Kingdom has vital national security and economic interests in maintaining and developing our relationship with Saudi Arabia but no aspect of our relationship prevents us from speaking frankly about human rights.
“UK ministers regularly raise human rights concerns with the Saudi authorities where necessary.”
