“May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership… Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their egos to the greatness of the cause.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
It is now well over two years since the takeover of Newcastle United by the Saudi PIF, and NE Bylines has been regularly reviewing what life is like in that Middle Eastern kingdom and what has happened there since that takeover in October 2021.
There are some who would claim that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a place where human rights are not respected and that the regime is a murderous regime, which starts illegal wars and responsible for many human rights abuses. But is all that true? Let’s see what has been happening and look at the hard evidence. How has Saudi Arabia been reported in recent weeks?
Parts I-VII of this survey have covered the period from 7th October 2021 to the end of February this year. So, what has been happening regarding Saudi Arabia in March and April 2024?
Brutal executions are on the rise
On 2nd March it was reported in the Daily Mail that : “brutal executions are on the rise in Saudi Arabia under the reign of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with human rights activists calling the score of beheadings and crucifixions a ‘relentless killing spree’.”
It was further noted that the Saudi authorities had killed hundreds in capital punishments since the Crown Prince’s tenure started in 2015, hitting a new milestone that Amnesty International had said revealed the kingdom’s ‘chilling disregard for the right to life’.
Capital punishments doubled
It was also noted that despite bin Salman promising that the use of capital punishments would be limited, the NGO Reprieve had stated that the number had nearly doubled since he took over the throne.
The story stated that: “from 2010 to 2014 there was an average of 70.8 executions per year but from 2015 to 2022 there was an average of 129.5 executions per year – a rise of 82 per cent.“
It was also said that last year, the kingdom had carried out at least 172 executions, despite renewed promises from bin Salman to limit the scope of capital punishment and that Saudi Arabia had beheaded as many as 81 people in a single day in March 2022 as part of the 193 executions Amnesty International said were carried out in the country. This was said to be despite authorities saying it had been just 147.
It was also noted that most state executions in Saudi Arabia are: “still carried out by sword decapitation. Sometimes followed by the crucifixion of the body as the heads are displayed on a stick. But there have also been reports of prisoners sentenced to death by stoning. Beheadings are only carried out by Saudi Arabia and the Taliban and can be used for a variety of crimes including murder, apostasy (abandoning Islam), homosexuality, witchcraft, or sorcery, and ‘waging war on God’”.
Alicia Keys projects a powerful position on women’s rights
On 9th March, it was reported in The Guardian that although singer Alicia Keys projects a powerful position on women’s rights, “hosting a regular Women to Women summit and posting inspirationally on Instagram on Friday for International Women’s Day”, the singer-songwriter’s message was undermined for some by the revelation that she is hosting the third edition of her summit this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
It was noted that the American performer and her guests, including Pharrell Williams, best known for his worldwide hit Happy, were to meet in Jerddah to discuss “how women are pushing the culture forward in Saudi Arabia and around the world”.
Keys was reported as saying that she was “thrilled to be back on stage, this time in Jeddah, performing in a place I have never performed in before, and in a way, I never have in this region. I’m also so inspired to connect in a meaningful way with the amazing women there to discuss cultural, creative, and boundary-pushing narratives we are collectively and individually leading. In light of International Women’s Day, it’s the perfect time to discuss important issues affecting us.”
It was reported that human rights activists, including Peter Tatchell, had responded by calling on the 43-year-old star to boycott Saudi Arabia, a country that restricts women’s activities and persecutes several minority groups. Tatchell was reported as saying that, “no artists should be going to Saudi unless they speak out publicly to demand women’s freedom and an end to other human rights abuses in the country, including the freeing of all political prisoners”.
World Football report
On 15th March, it was reported by Inside World Football that Norwegian club Frederikstad had voted to pressure their national federation to boycott the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, with FIFA expected to award the tournament to the Arab Kingdom this year, as it was the only bidding candidate. It was further noted that at the annual meeting of Frederikstad, describes as “a leading Norwegian club returning to the top flight after years in the wilderness”, Jan Fredrik Hagen had represented the voice of supporters by stating that “everything we learned about human rights violations in Qatar also applies to Saudi Arabia.”
Club chairman Jostein Lunde responded by saying: “We are not saying that we will not take a clear stand against the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, but we want some time to get more information about recommended measures before we decide on a boycott”.
Deportation
On 22nd March it was reported in The Guardian that having been used, abused and deported, migrant workers were returning to Bangladesh after dreams of a better life in Saudi Arabia had turned sour. It was noted that among many happy family reunions at the arrivals gate at Dhaka’s international airport, one group of travellers stands out. It was said that “these men appear gaunt and dazed, most of them carrying nothing but a thin blanket they picked up on the plane. They wear tracksuits and blue rubber sandals or shoes without laces. Some walk barefoot.”
It was further noted that all the men had just been deported from Saudi Arabia, and that each day they arrived by the planeload. It was said that nearly 70,000 Bangladeshi migrant workers had been deported from the Gulf kingdom in 2022. The main reason why they were deported was for not having a valid residence permit, known as an iqama. An iqama id a residence permit in Saudi Arabia, which is a legal document allowing expatriates to work in Saudi Arabia.
It was further noted that instead of earning much needed money for their families, the migrant workers, “return from one of the wealthiest countries in the world, hungry, traumatised and without even the money to buy a bus ticket home.”
Horrendous stories
The men do bring one thing back however: horrendous stories of abuse, false contracts, and wage theft. It was noted that one man, Amir Hossein, said he had paid recruitment agents 400,000 taka (£2,860) to get to Saudi Arabia, but had been sent home after just over a year, during which he had worked for nine months without payment. Another man was quoted as saying: “I was told I would work in a restaurant in a five-star hotel but ended up in a tea stall.” A third said he worked for three months but had only been paid one month’s salary. “I’ve lost all my money,” he was quoted as saying.
The article further stated that Saudi Arabia would rely on tens of thousands of low-wage labourers such as these to enable it to host the 2034 World Cup. Indeed, it was said that “the pipeline of workers from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia is expected to increase dramatically if the country is anointed host by FIFA, as expected this year”.
BBC report
It was reported by the BBC on 25th March, that Saudi Arabia had announced it will build a theme park based on the famed Japanese animated series Dragon Ball, sparking mixed reactions from fans. It was further noted that the announcement had been met with some criticism from fans, citing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
According to the official Dragon Ball website, “the park will include a roller coaster inside the dragon modelled after Shenron, a wish-giving dragon that features in the franchise” and that, “Qiddiya is a major entertainment and tourism project being built near Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.”
It was also said to be part of Saudi Arabia’s plans to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels. The news was met with a mixed reaction with the BBC noting that some Dragon Ball fans had welcomed the plans for the theme park, but others on social media had questioned the decision to locate the attraction in Saudi Arabia, and that the kingdom had, “been criticised for its human rights record and lack of recognition of LGBTQ+ rights.”
Gender equality forum
On 25th March it was reported on MSN that Saudi Arabia’s upcoming chairmanship of the United Nations gender equality forum had started a debate over the country’s commitment to women’s rights. It was noted that, “amid ongoing assaults on women’s rights, this decision has been met with criticism from human rights organizations who highlight a stark contrast between Saudi Arabia’s record and the aspirations of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).”
Amnesty International had been vocal about its concerns, with Sherine Tadros, Deputy Director for Advocacy, stating: “Saudi Arabia’s abysmal record when it comes to protecting and promoting the rights of women puts a spotlight on the vast gulf between the lived reality for women and girls in Saudi Arabia, and the aspirations of the Commission.” It was further claimed that a recent law claimed by Saudi authorities to be progressive, Saudi Arabia’s recently enacted 2022 Personal Status Law, in reality “entrenches gender-based discrimination in every aspect of family life.”
It was also noted in the article, that a report had pointed out that, “the draft penal code would grant immunity for so-called “honour crimes,” fails to criminalize marital rape, and criminalizes consensual sexual relations outside of marriage. Additionally, women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia face persecution, and those supporting women’s rights have been subjected to severe prison sentences, highlighting the discrepancy between Saudi Arabia’s internal policies and its international commitments to gender equality.”
Fans facing fines
On 27th March it was reported by I that twelve Saudi Arabian football fans faced fines of three million riyals (£633,000) and up to five years in prison for chanting at matches. It was further reported that the Saudi Ministry of Sport had accused the supporters of Al Safa of “expressions of sectarianism”, and that a trial was due to begins thar week.
However, Saudi human rights group ALQST disagreed saying instead that the chants in question were “Shia religious songs that are well known among the Shia community” and “do not contain anything sectarian or offensive” and were celebrating the birthday of Imam Ali, a revered cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.
Chair of the UN commission
On the same day, it was reported in The Guardian that Saudi Arabia had been chosen as the chair of the UN commission that is supposed to promote gender equality and empower women around the world. It was also noted that this had happened after an unopposed bid for leadership, which was condemned by human rights groups because of the kingdom’s “abysmal” record on women’s rights. It was said that human rights groups quickly pointed to the “irony of the CSW being led by a country in which the gap between men’s and women’s rights, even on paper, is so wide.”
Furthermore, it was said that Sherine Tadros, the head of the New York office of Amnesty International, had pointed out that Saudi Arabia would be in the chair next year, on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing declaration, a landmark blueprint for advancing women’s rights globally. Tadros also said that “whoever is in the chair, which is now Saudi Arabia, is in a key position to influence the planning, the decisions, the taking stock, and looking ahead, in a critical year for the commission. Saudi Arabia is now at the helm, but Saudi Arabia’s own record on women’s rights is abysmal, and a far cry from the mandate of the commission.”
Uncontested bid
Similarly, it was reported in the New York Times on 29th March that Saudi Arabia had won an uncontested bid to lead a United Nations body dedicated to women’s rights for the 2025 session. It was also noted that this had brought condemnation from human rights groups who argued that the kingdom had an “abysmal” record on women’s empowerment and that, “on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.N., Abdulaziz Alwasil, was elected chairman of the Commission on the Status of Women, a U.N. body whose aim is to protect and promote women’s rights around the world.”
It was further noted that the Saudi state news agency had written that the country’s new chairmanship “confirmed its interest in cooperating with the international community to strengthen women’s rights and empowerment” and had highlighted the strides the country had made toward greater social and economic freedom for women.
But the decision drew scathing criticism from human rights groups. Again, Amnesty International’s deputy director for advocacy, Sherine Tadros, was scathing, saying in a statement that Saudi Arabia had an “abysmal record when it comes to protecting and promoting the rights of women.” She argued that there was a “vast gulf” between the U.N. commission’s aspirations and the “lived reality for women and girls in Saudi Arabia.”
Intelligence Online report
It was reported on Intelligence Online , which describes itself as a “daily exclusive information essential to understanding the intelligence world,” that a sales rep to the Pakistani navy, by the name of Ali Alwabel, was trading in on Newcastle-Riyadh connections, saying that “former Saudi navy officer-turned-consultant Ali Alwabel wants to branch out into new lines of business and, is building ties between Riyadh and business circles in Newcastle, whose football club is owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.”
Jamie Braidwood’s comments
Jamie Braidwood on 6th April commented that while buying into women’s tennis had been Saudi Arabia’s obvious next step, it also brought new questions to answer. It was noted that Saudi Arabia had gradually got involved in boxing and formula one, then football and even snooker so, moving into hosting tennis tournaments was an obvious next step.
Braidwood commented that, “Saudi Arabia will host the WTA Finals for the next three years at least, adding the season-ending tournament known as the “crown jewel” on the women’s tour to its ever-expanding portfolio of major events and sporting exhibitions. It was, after all, the logical next step, and a significant one: after ploughing billions into football, F1, boxing and golf, Saudi Arabia has made its first move into elite women’s sport.”
Braidwood went on to say that it was a deal that would sit uncomfortably with many, particularly as women’s tennis retains such strong ties to a proud history of advocating equality, women’s rights, and inclusivity. By way of contrast, Saudi Arabia, was said to represent, “an authoritarian state where women can still face discrimination within even domestic family environments and where LGBTQ+ relationships are criminalised. The WTA was aware of criticism from two of its greatest champions, Martina Navratilova, and Chris Evert, who said in an editorial for The Washington Post that staging the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia was a “step backward” for women and women’s sport.”
The status of women
The International Business Times on 9th April had more to say about the granting of Saudi Arabia to lead the UN group on the Status of Women mentioned earlier. It was noted by Danielles Summer that human rights groups had been quick to note that Saudi Arabia’s notorious record on gender equality had seen women stoned to death for adultery and a considerable gap between men’s and women’s rights.
It was further noted that, despite Saudi Arabia granting women a “personal status” in 2022, under the current laws, women are still ordered to obey their husbands in a “reasonable manner”. The article stated that, “a woman’s financial freedom also depends on her “obedience” to her husband. Laws permit men to withhold funds for reasons including refusing to have sex with him, live in a marital home or travel with him without a “legitimate excuse.””
It was also noted that Human Rights Watch had also pointed out that a woman who chooses to leave the marital home risks losing custody of her child if it is in the child’s undefined “best interest” to stay with their father.
United Nations Director at the Human Rights Watch (HRW), Louis Charbonneau, was quoted as arguing: “Saudi Arabia’s election as chair of the UN Commission on the Status of Women shows shocking disregard for women’s rights everywhere. Saudi Arabia is “a country that jails women simply because they advocate for their rights and has no business being the face of the UN’s top forum for women’s rights and gender equality, Saudi authorities should demonstrate that this honour was not completely undeserved and immediately release all detained women’s rights defenders, end male guardianship and ensure women’s full rights to equality with men.”
Women’s Tennis Association players warned they could be jailed
On 12th April, it was noted in the Metro that Women’s Tennis Association players had been warned they could be ‘jailed and tortured’ for speaking about women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.
It was further noted that it had been recently confirmed that the Saudi Tennis Federation had struck a deal worth over £40m to host the WTA Finals for the next three years.
It was further reported that a leading human rights group had sent a message to WTA players, warning them about the dangers of standing up for women’s rights in the country.
Minky Worden, Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives was reported as telling iNews that: “‘If you complain, you go to jail,’ Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives Minky Worden told iNews : “So that puts the WTA and players in a super bad spot. You complain about women’s rights conditions, you end up in jail and tortured.”
10th anniversary of arrest of human rights defender
It was noted that Monday, April 15, 2024, marked the tenth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair, who it noted is serving a 15-year prison sentence because of his peaceful human rights activism.
The report went on to say that: “he has repeatedly been ill-treated in prison, including being denied vital medical care. The undersigned organisations call on the Saudi authorities to allow him immediate access to the medical care he requires, and to immediately and unconditionally release him, as well as all other prisoners unjustly detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.”
The organisation signing the statement are as follows:
- ACAT-France
- ALQST for Human Rights
- Amnesty International
- English PEN
- FairSquare
- FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- The Foundation of Anna Dahlbäck Memorial Fund
- Freedom House
- Freedom Now
- Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)
- Human Rights First
- Human Rights Watch
- Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
- MENA Rights Group
- Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC)
- PEN International
- Right Livelihood
- World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Saudi Arabia rebranding
On 16th April, Lina al-Hathloul, who spoke in Newcastle about human rights in Saudi Arabia in September 2023, wrote in The Guardian about the ways that Saudi Arabia is rebranding. She noted that since 2016, when it first announced plans to diversify its economy, it had poured billions into making the kingdom appear more progressive to outsiders. Lina further noted that, “women can now drive and work in jobs they were previously banned from. Vast sums are being invested in futuristic, architectural “gigaprojects”, such as the Line – a sprawling, desert supercity – to attract global tourism.”
Despite these attempts at rebranding, Lina also noted that, inside Saudi Arabia, its citizens are telling a very different story. Lina stated that, “against a backdrop of image-building projects, thousands of Saudi citizens, according to some reports, could be being blocked by the state from leaving the country with arbitrary and illegal travel bans. Their crime? Advocating for basic human rights.”
Lina went on to talk about how one of those banned from leaving the country is her sister, Loujain al-Hathloul, who she describes as a prominent Saudi women’s rights defender who, “led the campaign against the ban on women driving and tirelessly campaigned for the abolition of the male guardianship system.”
Lina’s sister
Lina went on to say that her sister’s brave and outspoken activism was “met with repression by the Saudi authorities.
In March 2018, she was abducted from the streets of the United Arab Emirates and forcibly brought back to Saudi Arabia. Once on Saudi soil, she was placed under an illegal travel ban and forbidden from leaving the country – only to be arrested arbitrarily a few months later.
Her charges explicitly mentioned her human rights work, and my sister was tried under counter-terrorism legislation in the specialised criminal court (SCC), routinely used as a tool to muzzle civil society. Loujain was released from prison in February 2021 under strict conditions, including being barred from leaving the kingdom. Her travel ban was supposed to end, after nearly three years, on 13 November 2023.
Yet, in February of this year, well after the expiry of the ban, Loujain was told that she remains under a permanent travel ban with no expiry date. The authorities have never provided any justification and continue to ignore our inquiries.”
Snooker
On 19th April, it was reported in The Independent that a number of large shadows were looming over the sport of snooker as we approached the beginning of the world championship at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield.
It was further reported that, “the first comes from Saudi Arabia and is cast directly on the iconic Crucible Theatre. Almost every year for at least the past decade, the question of whether the World Championship should move away from the Crucible, or even Sheffield completely, has reared its head – with varying degrees of heft behind it.”
NUFC
On 19th April, it was reported in the Chronicle that a NUFC anti-sportswashing group was calling for ‘push back’ against Saudi owners ahead of match protest
It was said that the NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing wanted supporters to protest during the match with Sheffield United and have called for a street in the city to be named after murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing (NUFCFAS) group has pleaded with MPs and councillors to “push back”, more than two years after the club’s controversial takeover. The Magpies are 80% owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and activists have accused the regime of using football to distract attention from alleged human rights abuses.
Protests
It was noted that a protest was planned for Saturday, April 27, when Newcastle was due to play at St James’ Park against Sheffield United, who it was said, “also have links to Saudi Arabia through their owner Prince Abdullah. NUFCFAS is calling on supporters to hold up posters in the 27th minute of the match to show solidarity with Leeds University student Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi citizen and mother of two serving a 27-year prison sentence over critical tweets.”
Jamal Khashoggi
It was also stated that the group had also called for a street near St James’ Park to be renamed in memory of Jamal Khashoggi, “the prominent journalist who was murdered in 2018 by Saudi agents.”
It was further noted that, “in a letter sent to city councillors and North East MPs this week, NUFCFAS urged local politicians to support those actions, publicly condemn human rights abuses by the Saudi state, and take up specific cases with football club chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan – who is the governor of the PIF and has been described as a “sitting minister” of the Saudi government.”
International matches
Moreover, it was noted that the campaigners had previously protested two Saudi Arabian international matches being staged in Newcastle last year and brought activist Lina al-Hathloul to the city to address a public meeting. It was reported that the protestors had said in mud-April, that the region’s politicians “have a duty to clearly show that we as a region stand on the side of human rights” and should “correct the reality that political representatives have done very little to push back against the sportswashing project of the Saudi regime which owns Newcastle United Football Club”.
It was further reported that their calls had been backed by Jamie Driscoll, who told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Murder, torture and wider human rights abuses are morally wrong. I will call them out, wherever they are, without fear or favour. I’m also very clear that the Newcastle United fans have every right to support their club and the team’s continued success on the field. Ultimately the fans are the lifeblood of any club, and I would like to see more involvement and power in their hands.”
It was reported in the Guardian on 20th April, that the Line, described as “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 105-mile-long (170km) vanity project in Saudi Arabia”, is being scaled back. The report goes on to say that “in an act of what is known in the construction industry as value engineering, it will now be only one and a half miles long, a reduction of 98.6%.”
Global coalition of human rights organisations
It was reported in the Jurist online on 29th April that a global coalition of human rights organisations had raised concerns that day over the fates of young men facing imminent execution in Saudi Arabia for crimes allegedly committed when they were minors.
“In an open letter, the advocacy groups argued that Saudi Arabia’s decision to move forward with the executions of several young men for crimes committed when they were minor’s flies in the face of the nation’s planned reforms and international standards.”
Advocacy groups, which included global organizations like Human Rights Watch and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, as well as regional and national groups from around the world had written the following:
“The approval of new death sentences against minors exposes the reality of Saudi Arabia’s successive promises regarding the death penalty in general and the death penalty against minors in particular. It’s impossible to envisage reforms or changes without immediately halting arbitrary death sentences, especially against minors on charges that are not considered the most serious, and after unfair trials.”
It was further reported that the letter had focused on seven young men, most of whom are members of the country’s Shi’a religious minority, and all of whom had been sentenced to death for crimes allegedly committed between the ages of 14 and 17. It was also noted that, “the Shi’a minority makes up some 10-15 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.”
Evidence
So, there is evidence about what was happening concerning Saudi Arabia in March and April 2024. Are those who accuse the Saudi regime of having a bad human rights record being fair?
In November 1967 Newcastle University became the only university in Britain to honour Dr Martin Luther King Jr. in his lifetime. One of King’s most famous quotes about his own time was that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” What should we say and what should we do in our time to respond to the human rights record of the Saudi regime?
